Cotiarinase is a novel prothrombin activator from the venom of Bothrops cotiara

Snake venom serine proteinases (SVSPs) may affect hemostatic pathways by specifically activating components involved in coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet aggregation or by unspecific proteolytic degradation. in this study, we purified and characterized an SVSP from Bothrops cotiara venom, named cotiarinase, which generated thrombin upon incubation with prothrombin. Cotiarinase was isolated by a two-step procedure including gel-filtration and cation-exchange chromatographies and showed a single protein band with a molecular mass of 29 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Identification of cotiarinase by mass spectrometric analysis revealed peptides that matched sequences of viperid SVSPs. Cotiarinase did not show fibrinogen-clotting, platelet-aggregating, fibrino-genolytic and factor X activating activities. Upon incubation with prothrombin the generation of thrombin was detected using the peptide substrate D-Phe-Pip-Arg-pNA. Moreover, mass spectrometric identification of prothrombin fragments generated by cotiarinase in the absence of co-factors (phospholipids, factor Va, factor Xa and Ca2+ ions), indicated the limited proteolysis of this protein to release prothrombin 1, fragment 1 and thrombin. Cotiarinase is a novel SVSP that acts on prothrombin to release active thrombin that does not match any group of the current classification of snake venom prothrombin activators. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Inst Butantan, CAT Cepid, Lab Especial Toxinol Aplicada, BR-05503000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 98/14307-9FAPESP: 11/08514-8FAPESP: 2011/11308-0Web of Scienc

Unraveling snake venom complexity with 'omics' approaches: Challenges and perspectives

The study of snake venom proteomes (venomics) has been experiencing a burst of reports, however the comprehensive knowledge of the dynamic range of proteins present within a single venom, the set of post-translational modifications (PTMs) as well as the lack of a comprehensive database related to venom proteins are among the main challenges in venomics research. the phenotypic plasticity in snake venom proteomes together with their inherent toxin proteoform diversity, points out to the use of integrative analysis in order to better understand their actual complexity. in this regard, such a systems venomics task should encompass the integration of data from transcriptomic and proteomic studies (specially the venom gland proteome), the identification of biological PTMs, and the estimation of artifactual proteomes and peptidomes generated by sample handling procedures. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencia & Tecnol, ICT UNIFESP, BR-12231280 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Bioquim, BR-12231280 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencia & Tecnol, ICT UNIFESP, BR-12231280 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Bioquim, BR-12231280 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Proteome-derived peptide library for the elucidation of the cleavage specificity of HF3, a snake venom metalloproteinase

The Proteomic Identification of Cleavage Sites (PICS) approach was employed for profiling the substrate specificity of HF3, a hemorrhagic snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP) from Bothrops jararaca. A tryptic peptide library from human plasma was subject to HF3 cleavage and amino acid occurrence for P6 to P6' sites was mapped. 71 cleavage sites were detected and revealed a clear preference for leucine at P1' position, followed by hydrophobic residues in P2'. PICS confirmed existing data on prime site specificity of SVMPs.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao PauloCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel SuperiorConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnologicoInst Butantan, CeTICS, Lab Especial Toxinol Aplicada, Ctr Toxins Immune Response & Cell Signaling, Av Vital Brasil 1500, BR-05503000 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, BR-01498 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencia & Tecnol, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencia & Tecnol, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 11/16623-1FAPESP: 13/07467-1CAPES: 1214/2011CNPq: 304103/2012-8Web of Scienc

Structural basis for dimer formation of the CRISPR-associated protein Csm2 of Thermotoga maritima

The clusters of regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and the Cas (CRISPR-associated) proteins form an adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea that evolved as an RNA-guided interference mechanism to target and degrade foreign genetic elements. In the so-called type IIIA CRISPR-Cas systems, Cas proteins from the Csm family form a complex of RNPs that are involved in surveillance and targeting tasks. In the present study, we report the crystal structure of Thermotoga maritima Csm2. This protein is considered to assemble into the helically shaped Csm RNP complex in a site opposite to the CRISPR RNA binding backbone. Csm2 was solved via cadmium single wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing at 2.4 angstrom resolution. The structure reveals that Csm2 is composed of a large 42 amino-acid long -helix flanked by three shorter -helices. The structure also shows that the protein is capable of forming dimers mainly via an extensive contact surface conferred by its long -helix. This interaction is further stabilized by the N-terminal helix, which is inserted into the C-terminal helical portion of the adjacent subunit. The dimerization of Csm2 was additionally confirmed by size exclusion chromatography of the pure recombinant protein followed by MS analysis of the eluted fractions. Because of its role in the assembly and functioning of the Csm CRISPR RNP complex, the crystal structure of Csm2 is of great importance for clarifying the mechanism of action of the subtype IIIA CRISPR-Cas system, as well as the similarities and diversities between the different CRISPR-Cas system. DatabaseThe structure of Thermotoga maritima Csm2 has been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession code .FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Research Foundation)CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brazil)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Sci & Technol, Rua Talim 330, BR-12231280 Sao Jose Dos Campos, BrazilLETA, Appl Toxinol Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilInst Butantan, Ctr Toxins Immune Response & Cell Signaling CeTIC, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Sci & Technol, Rua Talim 330, BR-12231280 Sao Jose Dos Campos, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 11/50963-4CNPq: 480411/2011-5CNPq: 448833/2014-0Web of Scienc

Systemic Effects of Hemorrhagic Snake Venom Metalloproteinases: Untargeted Peptidomics to Explore the Pathodegradome of Plasma Proteins

Hemorrhage induced by snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) is a complex phenomenon that involves capillary disruption and blood extravasation. HF3 (hemorrhagic factor 3) is an extremely hemorrhagic SVMP of Bothrops jararaca venom. Studies using proteomic approaches revealed targets of HF3 among intracellular and extracellular proteins. However, the role of the cleavage of plasma proteins in the context of the hemorrhage remains not fully understood. The main goal of this study was to analyze the degradome of HF3 in human plasma. For this purpose, approaches for the depletion of the most abundant proteins, and for the enrichment of low abundant proteins of human plasma, were used to minimize the dynamic range of protein concentration, in order to assess the proteolytic activity of HF3 on a wide spectrum of proteins, and to detect the degradation products using mass spectrometry-based untargeted peptidomics. The results revealed the hydrolysis products generated by HF3 and allowed the identification of cleavage sites. A total of 61 plasma proteins were identified as cleaved by HF3. Some of these proteins corroborate previous studies, and others are new HF3 targets, including proteins of the coagulation cascade, of the complement system, proteins acting on the modulation of inflammation, and plasma proteinase inhibitors. Overall, the data indicate that HF3 escapes inhibition and sculpts the plasma proteome by degrading key proteins and generating peptides that may act synergistically in the hemorrhagic process

Analysis of the Ontogenetic Variation in the Venom Proteome/Peptidome of Bothrops jararaca Reveals Different Strategies to Deal with Prey

Previous studies have demonstrated that the pharmacological activities displayed by Bothrops jararaca venom undergo a significant ontogenetic shift. Variation in the venom proteome is a well-documented phenomenon; however, variation in the venom peptidome is poorly understood. We report a comparative proteomic and peptidomic analysis of venoms from newborn and adult specimens of B. jararaca and correlate it with the evaluation of important venom features. We demonstrate that newborn and adult venoms have similar hemorrhagic activities, while the adult venom has a slightly higher lethal activity in mice; however, the newborn venom is extremely more potent to kill chicks. The coagulant activity of newborn venom upon human plasma is 10 times higher than that of adult venom. These differences were clearly reflected in their different profiles of SDS-PAGE, gelatin zimography, immunostaining using specific antibodies, glycosylation pattern, and concanavalin A-binding proteins. Furthermore, we report for the first time the analysis of the peptide fraction of newborn and adult venoms by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and LC-MS/MS, which revealed different contents of peptides, while the bradykinin potentiating peptides (BPPs) showed rather similar profiles and were detected in the venoms showing their canonical sequences and also novel sequences corresponding to BPPs processed from their precursor protein at sites so far not described. As a result of these studies, we demonstrated that the ontogenetic shift in diet, from ectothermic prey in early life to endothermic prey in adulthood, and in animal size are associated with changes in the venom proteome in B. jararaca species.FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo)[07/54626-7]FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo)[98/14307-9]Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia de Toxinas (INCTTox)CAPES (Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior

Involvement of GPR43 Receptor in Effect of <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</i> on Murine Steroid Resistant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Relevance to Pro-Inflammatory Mediators and Oxidative Stress in Human Macrophages

Background: Cytokine storm and oxidative stress are present in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Individuals with COPD present high levels of NF-κB-associated cytokines and pro-oxidant agents as well as low levels of Nrf2-associated antioxidants. This condition creates a steroid-resistant inflammatory microenvironment. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (Lr) is a known anti-cytokine in lung diseases; however, the effect of Lr on lung inflammation and oxidative stress in steroid-resistant COPD mice remains unknown. Objective: Thus, we investigated the Lr effect on lung inflammation and oxidative stress in mice and macrophages exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and unresponsive to steroids. Methods: Mice and macrophages received dexamethasone or GLPG-094 (a GPR43 inhibitor), and only the macrophages received butyrate (but), all treatments being given before CSE. Lung inflammation was evaluated from the leukocyte population, airway remodeling, cytokines, and NF-κB. Oxidative stress disturbance was measured from ROS, 8-isoprostane, NADPH oxidase, TBARS, SOD, catalase, HO-1, and Nrf2. Results: Lr attenuated cellularity, mucus, collagen, cytokines, ROS, 8-isoprostane, NADPH oxidase, and TBARS. Otherwise, SOD, catalase, HO-1, and Nrf2 were upregulated in Lr-treated COPD mice. Anti-cytokine and antioxidant effects of butyrate also occurred in CSE-exposed macrophages. GLPG-094 rendered Lr and butyrate less effective. Conclusions: Lr attenuates lung inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD mice, suggesting the presence of a GPR43 receptor-dependent mechanism also found in macrophages