Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yu-Xing Hu, Zhuo Liu, Zhen Zhang, Zhe Deng, Zhen Huang, Ting Feng, Qing-Hong Zhou, Si Mei, Chun Yi, Qing Zhou, Pu-Hua Zeng, Gang Pei, Sha Tian, Xue-Fei Tian
Summary: A study on centipedes has identified an antihepatoma peptide called scolopentide, which can inhibit liver cancer cells through the activation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and death receptor 5 (DR5) via a mitochondria-independent pathway. This research is significant for the discovery of new antihepatoma agents.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Xin-Qiang Lan, Feng Zhao, Qi-Quan Wang, Jiang-Hua Li, Lin Zeng, Yun Zhang, Wen-Hui Lee
Summary: A novel allergen, Sco m 5, was isolated and characterized from the centipede S. s. mutilans, showing high IgE-binding and positive reaction frequencies among centipede-allergic patients. Additionally, Sco m 5 also displayed a certain IgE-binding frequency among the general Chinese population.
ALLERGOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stijn M. Agten, Emma E. Watson, Jorge Ripoll-Rozada, Luke J. Dowman, Mike C. L. Wu, Imala Alwis, Shaun P. Jackson, Pedro Jose Barbosa Pereira, Richard J. Payne
Summary: This study presents a rational design of novel trivalent thrombin inhibitors that simultaneously block two exosites and the active site. These engineered hybrids were synthesized using a tandem diselenide-selenoester ligation and native chemical ligation in one-pot, showing potent anticoagulant activity both in vitro and in vivo. The rational engineering approach paves the way for the development of potent and selective inhibitors for various enzymatic targets.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicholas J. Youngman, Yin-Hsuan Peng, Richard J. Harris, Lee Jones, Joshua Llinas, Mark Haworth, Amber Gillett, Bryan G. Fry
Summary: The study found notable differential activity within the coagulotoxic and postsynaptic neurotoxic activity of Bothriechis venoms, supporting previous research, and highlighting the need for further studies with respect to antivenom efficacy as well as coagulotoxin specificity for Bothriechis venoms.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Upasana Puzari, Mahasweta Goswami, Komal Rani, Aparup Patra, Ashis K. Mukherjee
Summary: Snake venom C-type lectins (Snaclecs) interact with critical components of blood coagulation factors. Based on this interaction, two synthetic peptides 1A and 1B were designed. Peptide 1B showed higher anticoagulant activity than peptide 1A and may serve as a prototype for antithrombotic peptide drugs.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Seung-Man Suh, Eiseul Kim, Mi-Ju Kim, Seung-Min Yang, Hae-Yeong Kim
Summary: Centipedes contain important medicinal compounds, but their toxins can cause human diseases, so their use as food ingredients is prohibited. This study developed a real-time PCR method for detecting centipedes, targeting the COI gene. The method exhibited good linearity, high-determination coefficient, and a detection limit of 0.001 ng. It was validated on multiple PCR platforms and successfully detected centipedes in processed food. Thus, this method can contribute to food safety by specifically and sensitively detecting centipedes.
FOOD SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Seng Chng, Aaron Wei Liang Li, Jasmine Jia Min Lim, Esther Jia En Leong, Fathiah S. Amran, R. Manjunatha Kini, Mark Yan Yee Chan, Cho Yeow Koh
Summary: The study found that Fasxiator can be used as an anticoagulant drug and its inhibition of FXIa is promising. It has the potential to be developed as a FXIa-targeting anticoagulant.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tangjun Xu, Kexin Zhou, Wentao Ye, Yalin Huang, Yufeng Zhang, Sheng Zhu, Honghua Ruan, Hongyi Liu
Summary: The impacts of urban landscapes on the genetic diversity and gene flows of soil arthropods are unclear. This study investigated the genetic diversity and gene flow of Scolopendra mutilans in an urban area. The results showed high genetic diversity and moderate genetic differentiation and population isolation in the urban landscapes. Ecological corridors in cities may facilitate gene flow, while natural barriers may not hinder gene flow.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jonas Kraemer, Tim Lueddecke, Michael Marner, Elena Maiworm, Johanna Eichberg, Kornelia Hardes, Till F. Schaeberle, Andreas Vilcinskas, Reinhard Predel
Summary: Linear cationic venom peptides, such as Checacin1 found in pseudoscorpion venom, show potent antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. These peptides have the potential to be used as therapeutics for bacterial infections and aphid pest treatment. However, further studies are needed to confirm their specificity and safety in other insects.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bharga Kalita, Anthony J. Saviola, Ashis K. Mukherjee
Summary: This review discusses the anticancer potential of Indian snake venom toxins, highlighting the need for further research and development to successfully translate these findings into clinically available anticancer drug prototypes.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Iouraouine El Mehdi, Soraia I. Falcao, Mustapha Harandou, Said Boujraf, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Ofelia Anjos, Maria G. Campos, Miguel Vilas-Boas
Summary: The study investigated the composition, anti-inflammatory activity, and cytotoxic properties of honey bee venom from Apis mellifera intermissa in Morocco. Results showed compositional variation of main components depending on collection region, and toxic elements were detected at safe levels for pharmaceutical use. The study highlighted the significant potential of HBV as a natural medicine with antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dangui He, Zhijian Cao, Ruhong Zhang, Wenhua Li
Summary: This study identified and characterized an antimicrobial peptide gene, Ctri9594, from the venom of the scorpion Chaerilus tricostatus. The mature peptide of Ctri9594 exhibited inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria but not Gram-negative bacteria or a fungus. The antimicrobial mechanism of Ctri9594 is believed to be related to its amphiphilic alpha-helix structure.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Carlos Alberto-Silva, Fernanda Calheta Vieira Portaro, Roberto Tadashi Kodama, Halyne Queiroz Pantaleao, Hidetoshi Inagaki, Ken-ichi Nihei, Katsuhiro Konno
Summary: The study investigated the venom components profile of a solitary scoliid wasp through LC-MS and MS/MS analysis, identifying 138 components including bradykinin-related peptides and linear alpha-helical peptides. Evaluation of the biological activities of two main peptides, alpha-campsomerin and beta-campsomerin, showed that only alpha-campsomerin enhanced cell viability in PC12 neuronal cells. Annulatin exhibited histamine releasing activity and low hemolytic activity, but no antimicrobial activities.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nivedha Balakrishnan, Rahul Katkar, Peter V. Pham, Taylor Downey, Prarthna Kashyap, David C. Anastasiu, Anand K. Ramasubramanian
Summary: Thrombin is a key enzyme in cardiovascular diseases, and this study developed a machine learning pipeline to identify and rank peptide sequences with thrombin inhibitory potential, resulting in the discovery of promising direct thrombin inhibitor candidates.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Menilla Maria Alves de Melo, Veronica da Silva Oliveira, Moacir Fernandes de Queiroz Neto, Weslley de Souza Paiva, Manoela Torres-Rego, Sergio Ruschi Bergamachi Silva, Daniel de Lima Pontes, Hugo Alexandre Oliveira Rocha, Miguel Angelo Fonseca de Souza, Arnobio Antonio da Silva-Junior, Matheus de Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa
Summary: TanP, an anionic peptide with chelating and immunomodulatory properties, exhibits stable complex formation and recognition abilities towards Fe2+ and Zn2+ ions. It also demonstrates antioxidant, hemostatic, and healing activities, making it a potential prototype for the development of new therapeutic and biotechnological agents.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)