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1.
Brief Bioinform ; 25(2)2024 Jan 22.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38493344

RESUMO

Venomous organisms have independently evolved the ability to produce toxins 101 times during their evolutionary history, resulting in over 200 000 venomous species. Collectively, these species produce millions of toxins, making them a valuable resource for bioprospecting and understanding the evolutionary mechanisms underlying genetic diversification. RNA-seq is the preferred method for characterizing toxin repertoires, but the analysis of the resulting data remains challenging. While early approaches relied on similarity-based mapping to known toxin databases, recent studies have highlighted the importance of structural features for toxin detection. The few existing pipelines lack an integration between these complementary approaches, and tend to be difficult to run for non-experienced users. To address these issues, we developed DeTox, a comprehensive and user-friendly tool for toxin research. It combines fast execution, parallelization and customization of parameters. DeTox was tested on published transcriptomes from gastropod mollusks, cnidarians and snakes, retrieving most putative toxins from the original articles and identifying additional peptides as potential toxins to be confirmed through manual annotation and eventually proteomic analysis. By integrating a structure-based search with similarity-based approaches, DeTox allows the comprehensive characterization of toxin repertoire in poorly-known taxa. The effect of the taxonomic bias in existing databases is minimized in DeTox, as mirrored in the detection of unique and divergent toxins that would have been overlooked by similarity-based methods. DeTox streamlines toxin annotation, providing a valuable tool for efficient identification of venom components that will enhance venom research in neglected taxa.


Assuntos
Toxinas Biológicas , Peçonhas , Animais , Peçonhas/genética , Peçonhas/química , Proteômica , Toxinas Biológicas/genética , Serpentes , Peptídeos , Transcriptoma
2.
Mol Cancer Ther ; 23(2): 139-147, 2024 Feb 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38015557

RESUMO

The regulation of cellular processes by ion channels has become central to the study of cancer mechanisms. Designing molecules that can modify ion channels specific to tumor cells is a promising area of targeted drug delivery and therapy. Despite their potential in drug discovery, venom peptides-a group of natural products-have largely remained understudied and under-characterized. In general, venom peptides display high specificity and selectivity for their target ion channels. Therefore, they may represent an effective strategy for selectively targeting the dysregulation of ion channels in tumor cells. This review examines existing venom peptide therapies for different cancer types and focuses on the application of snail venom peptides in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer worldwide. We provide insights into the mode of action of venom peptides that have been shown to target tumors. We also explore the benefit of using new computational methods like de novo protein structure prediction to screen venom peptides and identify potential druggable candidates. Finally, we summarize the role of cell culture, animal, and organoid models in developing effective therapies against HCC and highlight the need for creating models that represent the most disproportionately affected ethnicities in HCC.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Hepatocelular , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Animais , Peçonhas/farmacologia , Peçonhas/uso terapêutico , Peçonhas/química , Neoplasias Hepáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/tratamento farmacológico , Peptídeos/química , Canais Iônicos/metabolismo
3.
Neuropharmacology ; 238: 109637, 2023 11 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37391028

RESUMO

Peptide-based drug development for CNS disorders is challenged by poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrability of peptides. While acylation protractions (lipidation) have been successfully applied to increase circulating half-life of therapeutic peptides, little is known about the CNS accessibility of lipidated peptide drugs. Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) has emerged as a powerful method to visualize whole-brain 3D distribution of fluorescently labelled therapeutic peptides at single-cell resolution. Here, we applied LSFM to map CNS distribution of the clinically relevant GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) exendin-4 (Ex4) and lipidated analogues following peripheral administration. Mice received an intravenous dose (100 nmol/kg) of IR800 fluorophore-labelled Ex4 (Ex4), Ex4 acylated with a C16-monoacid (Ex4_C16MA) or C18-diacid (Ex4_C18DA). Other mice were administered C16MA-acylated exendin 9-39 (Ex9-39_C16MA), a selective GLP-1R antagonist, serving as negative control for GLP-1R mediated agonist internalization. Two hours post-dosing, brain distribution of Ex4 and analogues was predominantly restricted to the circumventricular organs, notably area postrema and nucleus of the solitary tract. However, Ex4_C16MA and Ex9-39_C16MA also distributed to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus and medial habenula. Notably, Ex4_C18DA was detected in deeper-lying brain structures such as dorsomedial/ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei and the dentate gyrus. Similar CNS distribution maps of Ex4_C16MA and Ex9-39_C16MA suggest that brain access of lipidated Ex4 analogues is independent on GLP-1 receptor internalization. The cerebrovasculature was devoid of specific labelling, hence not supporting a direct role of GLP-1 RAs in BBB function. In conclusion, peptide lipidation increases CNS accessibility of Ex4. Our fully automated LSFM pipeline is suitable for mapping whole-brain distribution of fluorescently labelled drugs.


Assuntos
Receptor do Peptídeo Semelhante ao Glucagon 1 , Peçonhas , Camundongos , Animais , Exenatida , Receptor do Peptídeo Semelhante ao Glucagon 1/agonistas , Peçonhas/farmacologia , Peçonhas/química , Peptídeos/química , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Encéfalo/metabolismo
4.
Biochem Pharmacol ; 213: 115598, 2023 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37201876

RESUMO

Limacodidae is a family of lepidopteran insects comprising >1500 species. More than half of these species produce pain-inducing defensive venoms in the larval stage, but little is known about their venom toxins. Recently, we characterised proteinaceous toxins from the Australian limacodid caterpillar Doratifera vulnerans, but it is unknown if the venom of this species is typical of other Limacodidae. Here, we use single animal transcriptomics and venom proteomics to investigate the venom of an iconic limacodid, the North American saddleback caterpillar Acharia stimulea. We identified 65 venom polypeptides, grouped into 31 different families. Neurohormones, knottins, and homologues of the immune signaller Diedel make up the majority of A.stimulea venom, indicating strong similarities to D. vulnerans venom, despite the large geographic separation of these caterpillars. One notable difference is the presence of RF-amide peptide toxins in A. stimulea venom. Synthetic versions of one of these RF-amide toxins potently activated the human neuropeptide FF1 receptor, displayed insecticidal activity when injected into Drosophila melanogaster, and moderately inhibited larval development of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. This study provides insights into the evolution and activity of venom toxins in Limacodidae, and provides a platform for future structure-function characterisation of A.stimulea peptide toxins.


Assuntos
Mariposas , Peçonhas , Humanos , Animais , Peçonhas/química , Amidas , Drosophila melanogaster , Austrália , Peptídeos/toxicidade
5.
Toxins (Basel) ; 15(4)2023 04 20.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37104240

RESUMO

Predatory assassin bugs produce venomous saliva that enables them to overwhelm, kill, and pre-digest large prey animals. Venom from the posterior main gland (PMG) of the African assassin bug Psytalla horrida has strong cytotoxic effects, but the responsible compounds are yet unknown. Using cation-exchange chromatography, we fractionated PMG extracts from P. horrida and screened the fractions for toxicity. Two venom fractions strongly affected insect cell viability, bacterial growth, erythrocyte integrity, and intracellular calcium levels in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that both fractions contained gelsolin, redulysins, S1 family peptidases, and proteins from the uncharacterized venom protein family 2. Synthetic peptides representing the putative lytic domain of redulysins had strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and/or Bacillus subtilis but only weak toxicity towards insect or mammalian cells, indicating a primary role in preventing the intake of microbial pathogens. In contrast, a recombinant venom protein family 2 protein significantly reduced insect cell viability but exhibited no antibacterial or hemolytic activity, suggesting that it plays a role in prey overwhelming and killing. The results of our study show that P. horrida secretes multiple cytotoxic compounds targeting different organisms to facilitate predation and antimicrobial defense.


Assuntos
Reduviidae , Animais , Peçonhas/química , Comportamento Predatório , Cromatografia Líquida , Drosophila melanogaster , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem , Insetos/química , Mamíferos
6.
Toxicon ; 225: 107050, 2023 Mar 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36736630

RESUMO

Based on its phylogenetic relationship to monitor lizards (Varanidae), Gila monsters (Heloderma spp.), and the earless monitor Lanthanotus borneesis, the Chinese crocodile lizard, Shinisaurus crocodilurus, has been assigned to the Toxicofera clade, which comprises venomous reptiles. However, no data about composition and biological activities of its oral secretion have been reported. In the present study, a proteomic analysis of the mandibular gland of S. crocodilurus and, for comparison, of the herbivorous Solomon Island skink Corucia zebrata, was performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the teeth from S. crocodilurus revealed a sharp ridge on the anterior surface, but no grooves, whereas those of C. zebrata possess a flattened crown with a pointed cusp. Proteomic analysis of their gland extracts provided no evidence of venom-derived peptides or proteins, strongly supporting the non-venomous character of these lizards. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD039424.


Assuntos
Jacarés e Crocodilos , Lagartos , Animais , Jacarés e Crocodilos/metabolismo , Lagartos/metabolismo , Filogenia , Proteômica , Peçonhas/química
7.
Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging ; 50(4): 996-1004, 2023 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36446951

RESUMO

PURPOSE: Exendin, an analogue of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1), is an excellent tracer for molecular imaging of pancreatic beta cells and beta cell-derived tumours. The commonly used form, exendin-4, activates the GLP1 receptor and causes internalisation of the peptide-receptor complex. As a consequence, injection of exendin-4 can lead to adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting and hypoglycaemia and thus requires close monitoring during application. By comparison, the antagonist exendin(9-39) does not activate the receptor, but its lack of internalisation has precluded its use as a tracer. Improving the cellular uptake of exendin(9-39) could turn it into a useful alternative tracer with less side-effects than exendin-4. METHODS: We conjugated exendin-4 and exendin(9-39) to the well-known cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) penetratin. We evaluated cell binding and internalisation of the radiolabelled peptides in vitro and their biodistribution in vivo. RESULTS: Exendin-4 showed internalisation irrespective of the presence of the CPP, whereas for exendin(9-39) only the penetratin conjugate internalised. Conjugation to the CPP also enhanced the in vivo tumour uptake and retention of exendin(9-39). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that penetratin robustly improves internalisation and tumour retention of exendin(9-39), opening new avenues for antagonist-based in vivo imaging of GLP1R.


Assuntos
Peptídeos Penetradores de Células , Insulinoma , Neoplasias Pancreáticas , Humanos , Exenatida/metabolismo , Peptídeos Penetradores de Células/farmacologia , Peptídeos Penetradores de Células/metabolismo , Distribuição Tecidual , Insulinoma/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/metabolismo , Receptor do Peptídeo Semelhante ao Glucagon 1/metabolismo , Peçonhas/farmacologia , Peçonhas/química , Peçonhas/metabolismo
8.
Front Immunol ; 13: 972442, 2022.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36091066

RESUMO

Over the past decades, envenomation by caterpillars of Automeris spp. became an increasing health problem in Latin America. Accidental contact with the stinging spines of these caterpillars cause acute local pain, itching, inflammation and skin rashes that persists for days. Even when the cause is obvious, the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed symptoms are yet to be elucidated. Here, we describe for the first time, an active compound in the venom and the study of the bioactivity of the venom extracted from the spines of the caterpillar Automeris zaruma. Electrophysiological screening of a library of membrane proteins important for pain and itch enabled us to investigate and reveal the mode of action of the venom of A. zaruma. Further mass spectrometric analysis (Q-TOF-MS) made it possible to establish a link between the bioactivity and the components found in the venom. We show that the spine extract of A. zaruma contains histamine that potently activates the four types of the human histamine receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R and H4R) with a selectivity preference towards H3R and H4R. Furthermore, a modulation of the target MRGPRX2 was found. Together, these findings are the first to explain the symptomology of A. zaruma envenomation, enabling us a better understanding of caterpillar envenomation and predict that the hurdle of the scarce efficacy of the currently used antihistaminic drugs can be overcome by including H3R and H4R blockers in the clinical used medication. Such an approach might be used for other caterpillar envenomation in the world and represent a significant improvement for the well-being of the patient.


Assuntos
Histamina , Manduca , Receptores Histamínicos , Peçonhas , Animais , Histamina/metabolismo , Humanos , Lepidópteros , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/genética , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/metabolismo , Dor/etiologia , Prurido/etiologia , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Receptores Histamínicos/genética , Receptores Histamínicos/metabolismo , Receptores Histamínicos H4/genética , Receptores Histamínicos H4/metabolismo , Receptores de Neuropeptídeos/genética , Receptores de Neuropeptídeos/metabolismo , Peçonhas/efeitos adversos , Peçonhas/química , Peçonhas/metabolismo
9.
Gigascience ; 112022 05 18.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35640874

RESUMO

Venoms have evolved >100 times in all major animal groups, and their components, known as toxins, have been fine-tuned over millions of years into highly effective biochemical weapons. There are many outstanding questions on the evolution of toxin arsenals, such as how venom genes originate, how venom contributes to the fitness of venomous species, and which modifications at the genomic, transcriptomic, and protein level drive their evolution. These questions have received particularly little attention outside of snakes, cone snails, spiders, and scorpions. Venom compounds have further become a source of inspiration for translational research using their diverse bioactivities for various applications. We highlight here recent advances and new strategies in modern venomics and discuss how recent technological innovations and multi-omic methods dramatically improve research on venomous animals. The study of genomes and their modifications through CRISPR and knockdown technologies will increase our understanding of how toxins evolve and which functions they have in the different ontogenetic stages during the development of venomous animals. Mass spectrometry imaging combined with spatial transcriptomics, in situ hybridization techniques, and modern computer tomography gives us further insights into the spatial distribution of toxins in the venom system and the function of the venom apparatus. All these evolutionary and biological insights contribute to more efficiently identify venom compounds, which can then be synthesized or produced in adapted expression systems to test their bioactivity. Finally, we critically discuss recent agrochemical, pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and diagnostic (so-called translational) aspects of venoms from which humans benefit.


Assuntos
Proteômica , Peçonhas , Animais , Pesquisa , Serpentes/genética , Transcriptoma , Peçonhas/química , Peçonhas/genética
10.
Sci Adv ; 8(12): eabk1410, 2022 03 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35319982

RESUMO

Somatostatin (SS) is a peptide hormone with diverse physiological roles. By investigating a deep-water clade of fish-hunting cone snails, we show that predator-prey evolution has generated a diverse set of SS analogs, each optimized to elicit specific systemic physiological effects in prey. The increased metabolic stability, distinct SS receptor activation profiles, and chemical diversity of the venom analogs make them suitable leads for therapeutic application, including pain, cancer, and endocrine disorders. Our findings not only establish the existence of SS-like peptides in animal venoms but also serve as a model for the synergy gained from combining molecular phylogenetics and behavioral observations to optimize the discovery of natural products with biomedical potential.


Assuntos
Caramujo Conus , Somatostatina , Peçonhas , Animais , Caramujo Conus/química , Filogenia , Comportamento Predatório , Somatostatina/química , Peçonhas/química
11.
J Insect Physiol ; 135: 104311, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34592309

RESUMO

In New Zealand's ancient Fuscospora spp. or beech forests, two invasive Vespula social wasps Vespula vulgaris (L.) and Vespula germanica (F.) have become significant problems, adversely affecting native birds and invertebrate biodiversity. The nature of chemical communication in these two species is poorly understood, and this work was undertaken to identify the behaviourally active compounds in the venom of the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris (L.). Venom was removed from the stings of both workers and females and analyzed by coupled gas chromatography/electroantennographic detection (GC/EAD) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Two compounds were present in the venom that consistently elicited EAD responses from the antennae of males and workers. Mass spectrometry analysis and syntheses of candidate structures revealed the structures to be N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide (MBA) and N-(3-methylbutyl)butanamide (MBB). Gyne venom contains significantly larger amounts of MBA and MBB than worker venom. When these two compounds were tested in the field individually or as binary blends in combination with the known food odour (honeydew volatiles), only N-(3-methylbutyl)butanamide or blends containing this compound showed a strong repellent effect on workers to honeydew volatiles at all doses tested. This is the first report of the occurrence of N-(3-methylbutyl)butanamide in nature and the third amide to be identified in the venom of any social wasp. In addition, this work is the first to report the chemical analysis of the venom of V. vulgaris gyne. The repellency effect observed in this study of the venom compound suggests that our definition and understanding of the function of the alarm pheromone need to be reassessed.


Assuntos
Amidas/química , Peçonhas/química , Vespas , Animais , Feminino , Espécies Introduzidas , Masculino , Nova Zelândia , Odorantes , Feromônios/química , Vespas/química , Vespas/classificação
12.
Prog Med Chem ; 60: 1-66, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34147202

RESUMO

Difficult drug targets are becoming the normal course of business in drug discovery, sometimes due to large interacting surfaces or only small differences in selectivity regions. For these, a different approach is merited: compounds lying somewhere between the small molecule and the large antibody in terms of many properties including stability, biodistribution and pharmacokinetics. Venoms have evolved over millions of years to be complex mixtures of stable molecules derived from other somatic molecules, the stability comes from the pressure to be ready for delivery at a moment's notice. Snakes, spiders, scorpions, jellyfish, wasps, fish and even mammals have evolved independent venom systems with complex mixtures in their chemical arsenal. These venom-derived molecules have been proven to be useful tools, such as for the development of antihypotensive angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and have also made successful drugs such as Byetta® (Exenatide), Integrilin® (Eptifibatide) and Echistatin. Only a small percentage of the available chemical space from venoms has been investigated so far and this is growing. In a new era of biological therapeutics, venom peptides present opportunities for larger target engagement surface with greater stability than antibodies or human peptides. There are challenges for oral absorption and target engagement, but there are venom structures that overcome these and thus provide substrate for engineering novel molecules that combine all desired properties. Venom researchers are characterising new venoms, species, and functions all the time, these provide great substrate for solving the challenges presented by today's difficult targets.


Assuntos
Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos , Descoberta de Drogas , Peçonhas/química , Animais , Humanos , Preparações Farmacêuticas/química , Proteínas/química , Proteínas/farmacologia
13.
J Chem Ecol ; 47(10-11): 907-914, 2021 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34165686

RESUMO

The use of venom in predation exerts a corresponding selection pressure for the evolution of venom resistance. One of the mechanisms related to venom resistance in animals (predators or prey of snakes) is the presence of molecules in the blood that can bind venom toxins, and inhibit their pharmacological effects. One such toxin type are venom phospholipase A2s (PLA2s), which have diverse effects including anticoagulant, myotoxic, and neurotoxic activities. BoaγPLI isolated from the blood of Boa constrictor has been previously shown to inhibit venom PLA2s that induced myotoxic and edematogenic activities. Recently, in addition to its previously described and very potent neurotoxic effect, the venoms of American coral snakes (Micrurus species) have been shown to have anticoagulant activity via PLA2 toxins. As coral snakes eat other snakes as a major part of their diet, neonate Boas could be susceptible to predation by this sympatric species. Thus, this work aimed to ascertain if BoaγPLI provided a protective effect against the anticoagulant toxicity of venom from the model species Micrurus laticollaris in addition to its ability shown previously against other toxin types. Using a STA R Max coagulation analyser robot to measure the effect upon clotting time, and TEG5000 thromboelastographers to measure the effect upon clot strength, we evaluated the ability of BoaγPLI to inhibit M. laticollaris venom. Our results indicate that BoaγPLI is efficient at inhibiting the M. laticollaris anticoagulant effect, reducing the time of coagulation (restoring them closer to non-venom control values) and increasing the clot strength (restoring them closer to non-venom control values). These findings demonstrate that endogenous PLA2 inhibitors in the blood of non-venomous snakes are multi-functional and provide broad resistance against a myriad of venom PLA2-driven toxic effects including coagulotoxicity, myotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. This novel form of resistance could be evidence of selective pressures caused by predation from venomous snakes and stresses the need for field-based research aimed to expand our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of such chemical arms race.


Assuntos
Boidae , Cobras Corais , Fosfolipases A2/toxicidade , Proteínas de Répteis/toxicidade , Venenos de Serpentes/química , Simpatria , Peçonhas/química , Animais , Fosfolipases A2/química , Comportamento Predatório , Proteínas de Répteis/química , Venenos de Serpentes/análise , Venenos de Serpentes/enzimologia , Peçonhas/análise , Peçonhas/enzimologia
14.
Mol Cell Proteomics ; 20: 100100, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34029722

RESUMO

Cone snails produce venom that contains diverse groups of peptides (conopeptides/conotoxins) and display a wide mass range, high rate of posttranslational modifications, and many potential pharmacological targets. Here we employ a proteogenomic approach to maximize conopeptide identification from the injected venom of Conus purpurascens. mRNA sequences from C. purpurascens venom ducts were assembled into a search database and complemented with known sequences and de novo approaches. We used a top-down peptidomic approach and tandem mass spectrometry identification to compare injected venom samples of 27 specimens. This intraspecific analysis yielded 543 unique conopeptide identifications, which included 33 base conopeptides and their toxiforms, 21 of which are novel. The results reveal two distinct venom profiles with different synergistic interactions to effectively target neural pathways aimed to immobilize prey. These venom expression patterns will aid target prediction, a significant step toward developing conotoxins into valuable drugs or neural probes.


Assuntos
Caramujo Conus , Peptídeos/genética , Peçonhas/genética , Animais , Feminino , Peptídeos/química , Proteogenômica , Transcriptoma , Peçonhas/química
15.
Expert Opin Drug Discov ; 16(10): 1163-1173, 2021 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33914674

RESUMO

Introduction: Animal venoms are a complex mixture of bioactive molecules that have evolved over millions of years for prey capture and defense from predators. Venom consists of many different types of molecules, with disulfide-rich peptides being a major component in most venoms. The study of these potent and highly selective molecules has led to the development of venom-derived drugs for diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic pain. As technologies have improved, more bioactive peptides have been discovered from venomous animals. Many of these molecules may have applications as tools for understanding normal and disease physiology, therapeutics, cosmetics or in agriculture.Areas covered: This article reviews venom-derived drugs approved by the FDA and venom-derived peptides currently in development. It discusses the challenges faced by venom-derived peptide drugs during drug development and the future for venom-derived peptides.Expert opinion: New techniques such as toxin driven discovery are expanding the pipeline of venom-derived peptides. There are many venom-derived peptides currently in preclinical and clinical trials that would have remained undiscovered using traditional approaches. A renewed focus on venoms, with advances in technology, will broaden the diversity of venom-derived peptide therapeutics and expand our knowledge of their molecular targets.


Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Peçonhas , Animais , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos , Descoberta de Drogas/métodos , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Peçonhas/química , Peçonhas/farmacologia , Peçonhas/uso terapêutico
16.
Molecules ; 26(5)2021 Feb 28.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33670972

RESUMO

Animal venoms are considered as a promising source of new drugs. Sea anemones release polypeptides that affect electrical activity of neurons of their prey. Voltage dependent sodium (Nav) channels are the common targets of Av1, Av2, and Av3 toxins from Anemonia viridis and CgNa from Condylactis gigantea. The toxins bind to the extracellular side of a channel and slow its fast inactivation, but molecular details of the binding modes are not known. Electrophysiological measurements on Periplaneta americana neuronal preparation revealed differences in potency of these toxins to increase nerve activity. Av1 and CgNa exhibit the strongest effects, while Av2 the weakest effect. Extensive molecular docking using a modern SMINA computer method revealed only partial overlap among the sets of toxins' and channel's amino acid residues responsible for the selectivity and binding modes. Docking positions support earlier supposition that the higher neuronal activity observed in electrophysiology should be attributed to hampering the fast inactivation gate by interactions of an anemone toxin with the voltage driven S4 helix from domain IV of cockroach Nav channel (NavPaS). Our modelling provides new data linking activity of toxins with their mode of binding in site 3 of NavPaS channel.


Assuntos
Peptídeos/química , Canais de Sódio/química , Canais de Sódio/metabolismo , Peçonhas/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Aminoácidos/química , Animais , Sítios de Ligação , Baratas , Fenômenos Eletrofisiológicos , Conformação Molecular , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Anêmonas-do-Mar
17.
Sci Rep ; 11(1): 1995, 2021 01 21.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33479267

RESUMO

The joint disease called pararamosis is an occupational disease caused by accidental contact with bristles of the caterpillar Premolis semirufa. The chronic inflammatory process narrows the joint space and causes alterations in bone structure and cartilage degeneration, leading to joint stiffness. Aiming to determine the bristle components that could be responsible for this peculiar envenomation, in this work we have examined the toxin composition of the caterpillar bristles extract and compared it with the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in synovial biopsies of patients affected with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Among the proteins identified, 129 presented an average of 63% homology with human proteins and shared important conserved domains. Among the human homologous proteins, we identified seven DEGs upregulated in synovial biopsies from RA or OA patients using meta-analysis. This approach allowed us to suggest possible toxins from the pararama bristles that could be responsible for starting the joint disease observed in pararamosis. Moreover, the study of pararamosis, in turn, may lead to the discovery of specific pharmacological targets related to the early stages of articular diseases.


Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/epidemiologia , Artropatias/epidemiologia , Lepidópteros/patogenicidade , Osteoartrite/epidemiologia , Toxinas Biológicas/toxicidade , Animais , Artrite Reumatoide/induzido quimicamente , Humanos , Inflamação/induzido quimicamente , Inflamação/epidemiologia , Artropatias/induzido quimicamente , Artropatias/patologia , Lepidópteros/química , Doenças Profissionais/induzido quimicamente , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Osteoartrite/induzido quimicamente , Membrana Sinovial/efeitos dos fármacos , Membrana Sinovial/patologia , Toxinas Biológicas/isolamento & purificação , Peçonhas/efeitos adversos , Peçonhas/química
18.
Pharmacol Res ; 164: 105327, 2021 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33276098

RESUMO

Based on the high incidence and mortality rates of cancer, its therapy remains one of the most vital challenges in the field of medicine. Consequently, enhancing the efficacy of currently applied treatments and finding novel strategies are of great importance for cancer treatment. Venoms are important sources of a variety of bioactive compounds including salts, small molecules, macromolecules, proteins, and peptides that are defined as toxins. They can exhibit different pharmacological effects, and in recent years, their anti-tumor activities have gained significant attention. Several different compounds are responsible for the anti-tumor activity of venoms, and peptides are one of them. In the present review, we discuss the possible anti-tumor activities of venom peptides by highlighting molecular pathways and mechanisms through which these molecules can act effectively. Venom peptides can induce cell death in cancer cells and can substantially enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Also, the venom peptides can mitigate the migration of cancer cells via suppression of angiogenesis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Notably, nanoparticles have been applied in enhancing the bioavailability of venom peptides and providing targeted delivery, thereby leading to their elevated anti-tumor activity and potential application for cancer therapy.


Assuntos
Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Peptídeos/administração & dosagem , Peçonhas/química , Animais , Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos , Vetores Genéticos , Humanos , Nanotecnologia , Peptídeos/genética , RNA não Traduzido
19.
Bioconjug Chem ; 32(1): 111-120, 2021 01 20.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33306347

RESUMO

Virus-like particles (VLPs) show considerable promise for the in vivo delivery of therapeutic compounds such as bioactive venom peptides. While loading and targeting protocols have been developed for numerous VLP prototypes, induced disassembly under physiological conditions of neutral pH, moderate temperature, and aqueous medium remain a challenge. Here, we implement and evaluate a general mechanism, based on ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), for controllable VLP disassembly. This mechanism is independent of cell-specific factors or the manipulation of environmental conditions such as pH and temperature that cannot be readily controlled in vivo. The ROMP substrate norbornene is covalently conjugated to surface-exposed lysine residues of a P22 bacteriophage-derived VLP, and ROMP is induced by treatment with the water-soluble ruthenium catalyst AquaMet. Disruption of the P22 shell and release of a GFP reporter is confirmed via native agarose electrophoresis, TEM, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses. Our ROMP disassembly strategy does not depend on the particular structure or morphology of the P22 nanocontainer and is adaptable to other VLP prototypes for the potential delivery of venom peptides for pharmacological applications.


Assuntos
Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos , Peptídeos/administração & dosagem , Peçonhas/administração & dosagem , Vírion/química , Catálise , Humanos , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Polimerização , Peçonhas/química
20.
J Membr Biol ; 253(6): 609-616, 2020 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33089393

RESUMO

It is known that snake venoms are a complex of enzymes and proteins and the interaction of different venom components with the membranes could be significantly enhanced in course of their action in an orchestra. The aim of the proposed investigation is to obtain detailed information about the mechanism and topology of two snake venom PLA2 isoforms from the Macrovipera lebetina obtusa venom in the membrane-binding process. We investigated the impact of the interaction on the properties of the model membrane (namely, GUVs and erythrocytes ghost) for each of these isoforms, as well as their synergetic action if they act simultaneously. The 6-lauroyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene and 6-propionyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene fluorescence probes were used to allow us to determine the membrane polarity more accurately via a generalized polarization function. Our results show that two types of PLA2 bring viscosity reduction in GUVs membrane and the effect became more potent when these PLA2 acts together. Intriguingly, we have not observed any significant difference in the case of the erythrocytes ghost membrane.


Assuntos
Membrana Celular/química , Peçonhas/química , Viperidae , Animais , Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Fenômenos Químicos , Membrana Eritrocítica/química , Corantes Fluorescentes , Isoenzimas/química , Ligação Proteica
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