Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Y. Mazhdi, S. M. Hamidi
Summary: This study investigated the reliability of a two-dimensional plasmonic structure and circular dichroism (CD) in detecting venom concentrations and neurotoxic effects on human neurotransmitters. The results confirmed the dependency of CD signal on venom concentrations' neurotoxic effects and the sensor's sensitivity with achiral plasmonic structure.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lhiri Hanna De Lucca Caetano, Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Jr, Bianca de Carvalho Lins Fernandes Tavora, Ursula Castro de Oliveira, Inacio de Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-de-Azevedo, Eliana L. Faquim-Mauro, Geraldo Santana Magalhaes
Summary: Research on the venom of Cryptops iheringi centipede involved transcriptomic characterization and proteomic analysis, revealing a novel potential toxin called Cryptoxin-1. The study linked this toxin to symptoms of envenomation and suggested the potential for exploring other proteins in the venom.
Article
Ecology
Tuany Siqueira-Silva, Luiz Antonio Gonzaga de Lima, Jonatas Chaves-Silveira, Talita Ferreira Amado, Julian Naipauer, Pablo Riul, Pablo Ariel Martinez
Summary: The study found that environments with higher productivity contribute to more complex snake venom with higher toxin proportions, while snake species living on islands with lower resource variability tend to have less complex venom dominated by fewer toxins. The extent of isolation of an island seems to play a role in the faster fixation of specific venom compositions.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ana Carolina Martins Magalha, Carlos Jose Correia de Santana, Rafael D. Melani, Gilberto B. Domont, Mariana S. Castro, Wagner Fontes, Peter Roepstorff, Osmindo Rodrigues Pires Junior
Summary: In this study, the composition of venom proteins from the scorpion Rhopalurus agamemnon was explored, and 230 proteins were identified, including new enzyme reports. These findings highlight the unique diversity of venom proteins from the scorpion R. agamemnon, offering insights into new mechanisms of envenomation and expanding the protein database of scorpion venoms. The discovery of new proteins opens up possibilities for the development of new drugs and suggests potential molecular targets for venom components.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ranwa A. Elrayess, Mahmoud E. Mohallal, Yomn M. Mobarak, Hala M. Ebaid, Sarah Haywood-Small, Keith Miller, Peter N. Strong, Mohamed A. Abdel-Rahman
Summary: According to recent studies, Smp24 and Smp43 peptides found in the venom of the Egyptian scorpion have shown cytotoxicity towards both tumor and non-tumor cells. These peptides activate a programmed pyroptotic mechanism to inhibit cell growth.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Xiao, Xiaoqing Luo, Cuiling Huang, Xujun Feng, Meijing Wu, Minjuan Lu, Jiating Kuang, Siyi Peng, Yingmei Guo, Zixuan Zhang, Zhaotun Hu, Xi Zhou, Minzhi Chen, Zhonghua Liu
Summary: Spider venom is a valuable resource for studying bioactive peptide toxins. This study successfully identified expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the venom glands of Macrothele palpator spiders, with a focus on toxin-like peptides. Bioinformatics analysis revealed similarities between these toxin-like peptides and known toxins, but also uncovered some novel families.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
M. J. Bermudez-Guzman, J. M. Jimenez-Vargas, L. D. Possani, F. Zamudio, G. Orozco-Gutierrez, E. Oceguera-Contreras, J. N. Enriquez-Vara, O. F. Vazquez-Vuelvas, P. E. Garcia-Villalvazo, L. L. Valdez-Velazquez
Summary: The venom of the scorpion Centruroides tecomanus contains two new peptides, Ct-IT1 and Ct-IT2, which are toxic to insects. These peptides have a high toxicity to crickets, causing paralysis even in small amounts. The relative abundance of these peptides in the venom is also significant. The comparison of their molecular masses and N-terminal sequences revealed similarities with peptides from other scorpion venoms. Additionally, the 3D structure analysis showed similarities with known insect toxins from scorpions. These findings suggest that Ct-IT1 and CtIT2 toxins have the potential to be used as a biological control method for pests that affect economically important crops.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ondrej Michalek, Andrew A. Walker, Ondrej Sedo, Zbynek Zdrahal, Glenn F. King, Stano Pekar
Summary: The venom of prey-specialised spiders is more effective against their preferred spider prey than other prey, while the venom of generalist spiders has similar effects on both prey types.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhiqiang Xia, Dangui He, Yingliang Wu, Hang Fai Kwok, Zhijian Cao
Summary: Animal venom, particularly scorpion venom peptides, are not only deadly toxins but also valuable resources for drug development and treatment of diseases. This review focuses on the molecular diversity and therapeutic applications of scorpion venom peptides, with a specific emphasis on their role in channelopathies, viral infections, and cancers. The potential relationship between the molecular characteristics and functional applications of scorpion venom peptides is also explored.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Naeem Yusuf Shaikh, Kartik Sunagar
Summary: Spider venoms are composed of enzymes, polyamines, inorganic salts, and disulfide-rich peptides. The origin of these peptides has long been unknown due to their molecular divergence and lack of data from diverse lineages. By evaluating these peptides under a comprehensive framework, we have identified new toxin superfamilies and traced their origin to a common ancestor of Araneomorphae and Mygalomorphae. This discovery provides insights into the early evolution and diversification of spider venoms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jian Tao, Saige Yin, Yongli Song, Lin Zeng, Shanshan Li, Naixin Liu, Huiling Sun, Zhe Fu, Yinglei Wang, Yilin Li, Yixiang Liu, Jun Sun, Ying Wang, Xinwang Yang
Summary: The novel peptide HsTx2 derived from the scorpion Heterometrus spinifer showed significant anti-apoplectic effects in rats with ischemic stroke, likely exerted through activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. This study highlights HsTx2 as a potential neuroprotective agent for stroke.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Pollyana Maria de Oliveira Pimentel, Diego Rodney Rodrigues de Assis, Melisa Gualdron-Lopez, Andreia Barroso, Fatima Brant, Paulo Gaio Leite, Bruno Cabral de Lima Oliveira, Lisia Esper, Shaun M. K. McKinnie, John C. Vederas, Marta do Nascimento Cordeiro, Pablo Victor Mendes dos Reis, Mauro Martins Teixeira, Adriano Monteiro de Castro Pimenta, Marcia Helena Borges, Maria Elena de Lima, Fabiana Simao Machado
Summary: The study found that components of Tityus serrulatus venom have therapeutic effects on Trypanosoma cruzi infection, increasing nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokine production while decreasing parasite replication and release, with a positive effect on p38 activation. This research opens up new perspectives for finding new strategies for Chagas Disease treatment.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fengling Yang, Ruiwei Ye, Chaoqun Ma, Yichao Wang, Yi Wang, Jianmei Chen, Jishun Yang, Juan Hofer, Yina Zhu, Liang Xiao, Jing Zhang, Yinghe Xu
Summary: This study provides insights into the species, toxins, and effective antagonists of the marine toxic jellyfish Phacellophora camtschatica through transcriptome and proteome analysis.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rahma Ben Abderrazek, Ayoub Ksouri, Faten Idoudi, Sayda Dhaouadi, Emna Hamdi, Cecile Vincke, Azer Farah, Zakaria Benlasfar, Hafedh Majdoub, Mohamed El Ayeb, Serge Muyldermans, Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar
Summary: Nanobodies have been developed as a potential therapeutic candidate for treating Buthidae scorpion stings in the Middle East/North Africa region, and they demonstrate synergistic effects.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Sara Nasr, Adolfo Borges, Christina Sahyoun, Riad Nasr, Rabih Roufayel, Christian Legros, Jean-Marc Sabatier, Ziad Fajloun
Summary: Scorpion venoms contain highly active compounds that selectively target biological receptors with remarkable affinity. Extensive biochemical and proteomic investigations have focused on characterizing the composition and functionality of scorpion venoms. This review provides an overview of the key methodologies used in the extraction, purification, analysis, and characterization of bioactive molecules present in scorpion venoms, with an emphasis on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Different proteomic workflows are also discussed, depending on the specific parameters of the study.
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fantin Carpentier, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Sara Branco, Alodie Snirc, Marco A. Coelho, Michael E. Hood, Tatiana Giraud
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Elida C. G. da Mata, Alicia Ombredane, Graziella A. Joanitti, L. I. B. Kanzaki, Elisabeth F. Schwartz
ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Caroline B. F. Mourao, Guilherme D. Brand, Joao Paulo C. Fernandes, Maura V. Prates, Carlos Bloch, Joao Alexandre R. G. Barbosa, Sonia M. Freitas, Rita Restano-Cassulini, Lourival D. Possani, Elisabeth F. Schwartz
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Steve Reynaud, Justyna Ciolek, Michel Degueldre, Natalie J. Saez, Ana Filipa Sequeira, Yoan Duhoo, Joana L. A. Bras, Herve Meudal, Miguel Cabo Diez, Victoria Fernandez Pedrosa, Marion Verdenaud, Julia Boeri, Oscar Pereira Ramos, Frederic Ducancel, Margot Vanden Driessche, Rudy Fourmy, Aude Violette, Gregory Upert, Gilles Mourier, Annette G. Beck-Sickinger, Karin Morl, Celine Landon, Carlos M. G. A. Fontes, Rebeca Minambres Herraiz, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Steve Peigneur, Jan Tytgat, Loic Quinton, Edwin De Pauw, Renaud Vincentelli, Denis Servent, Nicolas Gilles
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeanne Ropars, Estelle Didiot, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Bastien Bennetot, Monika Coton, Elisabeth Poirier, Emmanuel Coton, Alodie Snirc, Stephanie Le Prieur, Tatiana Giraud
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Luis Felipe Santos Menezes, Elias Ferreira Sabia Junior, Diogo Vieira Tibery, Lilian dos Anjos Carneiro, Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Besma Bouznif, Benoit Alunni, Mohamed Mars, Jacqui A. Shykoff, Tatiana Timchenko, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega
Summary: The draft genome sequences of two nitrogen-fixing symbionts, Bradyrhizobium sp. strain sGM-13 and Bradyrhizobium sp. strain sBnM-33, isolated from root nodules of peanut grown on soil samples collected from two regions in South Tunisia, have been reported. The genome sizes of these two strains are 8.31 x 10(6) bp and 8.97 x 10(6) bp, respectively.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Laura Droctove, Justyna Ciolek, Christiane Mendre, Amelia Chorfa, Paola Huerta, Chrystelle Carvalho, Charlotte Gouin, Manon Lancien, Goran Stanajic-Petrovic, Lorine Braco, Guillaume Blanchet, Gregory Upert, Gregory De Pauw, Peggy Barbe, Mathilde Keck, Gilles Mourier, Bernard Mouillac, Servent Denis, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Loic Quinton, Nicolas Gilles
Summary: This study identified 8 novel mambaquaretin-1 (MQ1) peptides with nanomolar affinities for the V2R, all of which act as antagonists. These MQs form a new subgroup in the Kunitz family, closely related to the non-active dendrotoxins and two V2R-active cobra toxins. Sequence comparison between active and non-active V2R Kunitz peptides revealed key positions involved in V2R interaction. The MQ1-K39A variant showed a higher affinity for the human V2R.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diogo Vieira Tibery, Adolfo Carlos Barros de Souza, Caroline Barbosa Farias Mourao, Jonathan Martins do Nascimento, Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
Summary: Peptides isolated from Acanthoscurria paulensis venom, titled as Ap2, Ap3 and Ap5, have different amino acid compositions and molecular masses, showing inhibitory effects on various channels. The study contributes to the knowledge of these peptides and their potential as channel modulators.
Article
Ecology
Marine Duhamel, Fantin Carpentier, Dominik Begerow, Michael E. Hood, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Tatiana Giraud
Summary: Researchers found that recombination suppression between mating-type chromosomes occurred in multiple steps and at least nine independent events linked the mating-type loci together in Microbotryum fungi. Chromosomal rearrangements and recombination suppression are evolutionary mechanisms leading to phenotypic convergence.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juliana Glavina, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Valeria A. Risso, Cesar O. Leonetti, Lucia B. Chemes, Ignacio E. Sanchez
Summary: The evolution of Mastadenovirus involves cospeciation, duplication, host switch, and partial extinction events. The fast turnover of linear motifs in the E1A protein suggests rapid changes in virus-host protein-protein interactions. The association between host diversification events and the evolution of E1A linear motifs highlights the adaptive evolution of Mastadenovirus.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fantin Carpentier, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Paul Jay, Marine Duhamel, Jacqui A. Shykoff, Michael H. Perlin, R. Margaret Wallen, Michael E. Hood, Tatiana Giraud
Summary: Recombination is beneficial in the long term, but local recombination suppression can lead to genomic degeneration, especially on sex chromosomes. This study investigates the rate of degeneration in nonrecombining regions using mating-type chromosomes of fungi. The results show a decrease in the frequency of optimal codons in nonrecombining regions and a constant strength of purifying selection.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Cornille Amandine, Dieter Ebert, Eva Stukenbrock, Ricardo C. Rodriguez de la Vega, Peter Tiff, Daniel Croll, Aurelien Tellier
Summary: Coevolutionary interactions are a common driver of adaptation, but little is known about the genomic processes underlying coevolution in an ecological context. This article reviews recent advances in coevolutionary theory and genomics, and proposes a practical guide to understanding the dynamics of coevolution using an ecological genomics approach.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Oliveira da Mata, Diogo Vieira Tibery, Matheus F. Fernandes-Pedrosa, Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
Summary: This study characterized the modulation of hNa+-channels by Tst1, a peptide purified from the venom of Tityus stigmurus scorpion. Tst1 inhibited Nav 1.3, Nav 1.2, and Nav 1.4 channels, and affected the activation voltage, steady-state inactivation, and recovery from inactivation of the channels. The effect of Tst1 on Nav 1.3 was dose-dependent.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis Felipe Santos Menezes, Mariza Mendanha Maranha, Diogo Vieira Tibery, Adolfo Carlos Barros de Souza, Daniel Oliveira da Mata, Leandro Ambrosio Campos, Amanda Araujo Souza, Sonia Maria de Freitas, Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
Summary: Ts17, purified from the venom of Tityus serrulatus, showed beta-toxin activity by altering the kinetics of Nav1.1-Nav1.7 channels. Nav1.2 and Nav1.5 were the most affected subtypes. Circular dichroism spectra revealed a predominance of beta-sheet and unordered structures in Ts17 at all pHs, with the highest alpha-helix content observed at pH 4.0 (13.3%).
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammadhossein Movassaghghazani, Nazanin Shabansalmani
Summary: The study revealed high levels of AFM1 in both breast milk and powdered milk samples in Tehran, with some samples exceeding the established limits. Therefore, monitoring and regulating toxin levels in these products is crucial for maternal and infant health.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Defeng Wen, Wantong Han, Quan Chen, Guanhui Qi, Mengling Gao, Pu Guo, Yu Liu, Zhongyuan Wu, Shulin Fu, Qirong Lu, Yinsheng Qiu
Summary: Luteolin can inhibit FB1-induced intestinal inflammatory injury by inhibiting the activation of NF-kappa B and ERK signaling pathways, according to network pharmacology and in vitro experiments.