Vespid chemotactic peptide precursor from the wasp, Vespa magnifica (Smith)

Despite the evolutional distance between wasp and amphibian, vespid chemotactic peptide (VCP), an important component of wasp venom, are found sharing remarkable similarities with the temporin antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from Ranid frog, Amolops loloens

Blood cells as targets of snake toxins

Snake venoms are mixtures of enzymes and peptides which exert toxicological effects by targeting their substrates or receptors upon envenomation. Snake venom proteins widely affect vascular system including circulating blood cells, coagulation factors, an

Molecular cloning of serine proteases from elapid snake venoms

Serine proteases are widely distributed in viperid snake venoms, but rare in elapid snake venoms. Previously, we have identified a fibrinogenolytic enzyme termed OhS1 from the venom of Ophiophagus hannah. The results indicated that OhS1 might be a serine

Identification and characterization of novel reptile cathelicidins from elapid snakes

Three cDNA sequences coding for elapid cathelicidins were cloned from constructed venom gland cDNA libraries of Naja atra, Bungarus fasciatus and Ophiophagus hannah. The open reading frames of the cloned elapid cathelicidins were all composed of 576 bp an

A horsefly saliva antigen 5-like protein containing RTS motif is an angiogenesis inhibitor

The Ag5 proteins are the most abundant and immunogenic proteins in the venom secretory ducts of stinging insects. An antigen 5-like protein (named tabRTS) composed of 221 amino acid residues was purified and characterized from the salivary glands of the horsefly, Tabanus yao (Diptera, Tabanidae). Its cDNA was cloned from the cDNA library of the horsefly's salivary gland. TabRTS containing the SCP domain (Sc7 family of extracellular protein domain) was found in insect antigen 5 proteins. More interestingly, there is an Arg-Thr-Ser (RTS) disintegrin motif at the C-terminus of tabRTS. The RTS motif is positioned in a loop bracketed by cysteine residues as those found in RTS-disintegrins of Crotalidae and Viperidae snake venoms, which act as angiogenesis inhibitors. Endothelial Cell Tube formation assay in vitro and chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis assay in vivo were performed as to investigate the effect of tabRTS on angiogenesis. It was found that tabRTS could significantly inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Anti-alpha(1)beta(1) monoclonal antibody could dose-dependently inhibit the anti-angiogenic activity of tabRTS. This result indicated that tabRTS possibly targets the alpha(1)beta(1) integrin to exert the anti-angiogenic activity as snake venom RTS-/KTS-disintegrins do. The current work revealed the first angiogenesis inhibitor protein containing RTS motif from invertebrates, a possible novel type of RTS-disintegrin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel disintegrin, jerdonatin, inhibits platelet aggregation and sperm-egg binding

A novel disintegrin, jerdonatin, was purified to homogeneity from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom by gel filtration and reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. We isolated the cDNA encoding jerdonatin from the snake venom gland. Jerdonatin cDNA precursor,;encoded pre-peptide, metalloprotease and disintegrin domain. Jerdonatin is composed of 72 amino acid residues including 12 cysteines and the tripeptide sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), a well-known characteristic of the disintegrin family. Molecular mass of jerdonatin was determined to be 8011 Da by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Jerdonatin inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced human platelet aggregation with IC50 of 123 and 135 nM, respectively. We also investigated the effect of jerdonatin on the binding of B6D2F1 hybrid mice spermatozoa to mice zona-free eggs and their subsequent fusion. Jerdonatin significantly inhibited sperm-egg binding in a concentration-dependent manner, but had no effect on the fusion of sperm-egg. These results indicate that integrins on the egg play a role in mammalian fertilization. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A novel high molecular weight metalloproteinase cleaves fragment F1 of activated human prothrombin

A hemorrhagic proteinase, jerdohagin, was purified from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatographies. It was a single chain polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 96 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE under the non-reducing and reducing conditions. Internal peptide sequencing indicated that it consisted of metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains and belonged to the class III snake venom metalloproteinases (class P-III SVMPs). Like other typical metalloproteinases, hemorrhagic activities of jerdohagin were completely inhibited by EDTA, but not by PMSF. Jerdohagin preferentially degraded a-chain of human fibrinogen. Interestingly, jerdohagin did not activate human prothrombin, whereas it cleaved human prothrombin and fragment F1 of activated human prothrombin. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purification and cloning of cysteine-rich proteins from Trimeresurus jerdonii and Naja atra venoms

Three 26 kDa proteins, named as TJ-CRVP, NA-CRVP1 and NA-CRVP2, were isolated from the venoms of Trimeresurus jerdonii and Naja atra, respectively. The N-terminal sequences of TJ-CRVP and NA-CRVPs were determined. These components were devoid of the enzymatic activities tested, such as phospholipase A(2), arginine esterase, proteolysis, L-amino acid oxidase, 5' nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, these three components did not have the following biological activities: coagulant and anticoagulant activities, lethal activity, myotoxicity, hemorrhagic activity, platelet aggregation and platelet aggregation-inhibiting activities. These proteins are named as cysteine-rich venom protein (CRVP) because their sequences showed high level of similarity with mammalian cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) family. Recently, some CRISP-like proteins were also isolated from several different snake venoms, including Agkistrodon blomhoffi, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, Lanticauda semifascita and king cobra. We presumed that CRVP might be a common component in snake venoms. Of particular interest, phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment showed that NA-CRVP1 and ophanin, both from elapid snakes, share higher similarity with CRVPs from Viperidae snakes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Extraction, purification and analysis of conotoxin of Conus textile captured from Persian Gulf and the investigation of analgesic effects of conotoxins in an animal model

Identification of venomous species of Persian Gulf cone snails and characterization of venom composition and their features is so important from the point of medical importance. Marine cone snails from the genus Conus are estimated to consist of up to 700 species. The venom of cone snails has yielded a rich source of novel neuroactive peptides or conotoxins. The present study was aimed to study the analgesic effect of Persian Gulf Conus textile and its comparison with morphine in mouse model. The specimens of Conus textile were collected of Larak Island from depth of 7 m. The collected samples were transferred to laboratory alive and were stored at -700 c. he veno s ducts were separated and ho ogenized with deionized water he ixture centrifuged at rp for inutes upernatant was considered as extracted veno and stored at - C after lyophylization. The protein profile of venom determined by using SDS-PAGE and HPLC used to investigate the extracted venom and to evaluate the analgesic activity, formalin test was carried out. SDS-PAGE indicated several bands ranged between 6 and 250 kDa. Chromatogram of the venom demonstrated more than 44 large and small fractions. The amount of 10 ng of Conus crude venom and analgesic peptide showed the best anti-pain activity in formalin test. No death observed up to 100 mg/kg, which is 250,000 times higher than the effective dose.Venom characterization of Persian Gulf Conus textile may be of medical importance and potential for new pharmaceutical drugs as well.

云南孟加拉种眼镜蛇蛇毒因子在灵长类动物内应用的免疫原性研究

眼镜蛇蛇毒因子(CVF)能特异性清除机体循环中的补体C3,从而可能在防治补体介导的损伤或疾病中发挥重要的治疗作用.云南孟加拉种眼镜蛇蛇毒因子(Y-CVF)较文献报道的其他各种CVF具有更高的活性和较少的用药量.为探讨Y-CVF静脉使用是否诱导灵长类动物体内产生特异性中和抗体和异种天然抗体,给2只正常食蟹猴每两周静脉注射一次治疗剂量(0.05mg/kg)的Y-CVF,共4次,检测注射前后不同时间点血清内补体C3水平、总补体活性(CH50)、抗Y-CVF抗体和抗猪内皮细胞异种抗体的变化.结果显示,前2次注射Y-CVF后均有良好的清除补体效果,第3次注射Y-CVF后补体仪被部分灭活,第4次注射Y-CVF后则基本无效.免疫印迹和酶联免疫吸附试验均证实特异性抗Y-CVF抗体产生,且其滴度随着Y-CVF注射次数增加而递增.多次注射Y-CVF后,并没有在血清内榆测到明显的抗猪内皮细胞抗体的变化.因此,多次静脉注射Y-CVF能诱导灵长类动物产生特异性抗体,从而导致Y-CVF失效,但未发现抗α-Gal异种天然抗体明显增加.

云南眼镜蛇毒因子用于预致敏大鼠同种心脏移植的实验研究

目的观察纯化的云南眼镜蛇毒因子(Y-CVF)对预致敏大鼠同种心脏移植急性体液排斥反应的作用。方法BN大鼠到Lewis大鼠连续3次皮肤移植预致敏后行颈部异位心脏移植。将15对大鼠用随机数字法分成2组,实验组(n=8)于心脏移植前24h静脉给予Y-CVF80μg/kg;对照组(n=7)不用Y-CVF。观察移植心的生存时间,移植心停跳后病理学检查排斥类型,免疫组织化学染色观察移植心IgG和补体C3的沉积。结果Lewis大鼠预致敏后抗BN大鼠抗体滴度由0升高至1∶1028~1∶2056。对照组移植心存活时间为12·71h±13·94h,实验组移植心存活时间为99·50h±38·72h,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(t=5·599,P<0·01)。病理检查结果证实,实验组均未发生急性体液排斥,仅见以大量单核淋巴细胞浸润为特征的急性细胞排斥反应。对照组则见以小血管内血栓形成为特征的急性体液排斥反应。免疫组织化学IgG染色实验组和对照组均为阳性,C3染色对照组为阳性,而实验组为阴性。结论使用Y-CVF可克服预致敏大鼠同种心脏移植急性体液排斥反应的发生。

蛇毒Ⅱ类磷脂酶A2 功能分化的分析研究

研究蛇毒Ⅱ类磷脂酶A2 (PLA2 ) 中D49 PLA2 和K49 PLA2 的功能分化及其功能分化决定位点的鉴定。方法: 运 用序列比较分析, 进化树构建和DIVERGE v1104 软件计算研究D49 PLA2 和K49 PLA2 的功能分化情况及其分化位点。结果: 序列比较分析, 进化树构建和DIVERGE v1104 软件计算结果表明蛇毒Ⅱ类PLA2 中D49 PLA2 和K49 PLA2 的确发生了功能分 化, 对于K49 PLA2 来说, 1S , 7K, 11Q , E12 , R34 , T56 , N88 , L92 , E108 , K116 , K128 可能为功能分化决定位点。对于 D49 PLA2 , L2 , G33 , G35 , F46 和Y118 可能为功能分化决定位点。结论: 我们首次通过序列比较分析, 进化树构建和DI2 VERGE v1104 软件计算鉴定出蛇毒Ⅱ类PLA2 中D49 PLA2 和K49 PLA2 可能的功能分化位点, 为今后通过基因重组和定点突 变方法研究蛇毒Ⅱ类PLA2 结构功能关系提供了线索。

眼镜蛇毒神经生长因子对成年猫坐骨神经损伤后的作用

目的　探讨从眼镜蛇毒分离纯化出的神经生长因子(nerve grow th facto r, N GF) 对成年猫坐骨神经 损伤后的影响。方法　制成成年猫坐骨神经损伤模型, 损伤局部注射蛇毒N GF 2 Lgö(kg·d) , 分别治疗10 d 和30 d, 并与对照组(损伤坐骨神经, 不给药物) 比较。结果　术后10 d, 对照组术侧远端神经纤维数量比治疗组明显减少 (P < 0. 01) , 治疗组术侧足底刺激出现早, 肢体活动恢复快。术后30 d, 治疗组术侧远端神经纤维大量再生, 再生神 经纤维数量已明显超过对照组和术后10 d 组水平(P < 0. 01) , 但结构紊乱, 轴突和郎氏结消失。术侧肢体在连续注 射N GF 16 d 左右出现足底刺激反应消失, 肢体瘫痪等改变。结论　眼镜蛇毒N GF 在神经损伤早期应用能减轻神 经纤维发生的溃变, 促进受损神经的再生与功能恢复; 而损伤局部长时间注射蛇毒N GF 则会导致神经纤维增生过 度, 丧失传导功能。

眼镜蛇毒神经生长因子对成年猫坐骨神经损伤治疗效果的实验室观察

目的:探讨从眼镜蛇毒分离纯化出的神经生长因子(nerve growth factor ,NGF) 对成年猫坐 骨经损伤后的影响。方法: 本实验制成成年猫坐骨神经损伤模型, 损伤局部注射蛇毒NGF(2μg/ kg/ d) ,分别治疗10d 和30d ,并与对照组(损伤坐骨神经,不给药物) 比较。结果:眼镜蛇毒NGF 在 神经损伤早期应用能减轻神经纤维发生的溃变,促进神经纤维再生。结论: 损伤局部长时间注射 NGF 会导致神经纤维增生过度,丧失传导功能。

金环蛇毒心脏毒对S180,EAC腹水癌细胞的细胞毒性作用

目的: 探讨金环蛇毒心脏毒对S180, EAC 腹水癌细胞的细胞毒作用。方法: 采用小白鼠腹腔和皮下接种S180, EAC 腹 水癌细胞造成小白鼠腹水模型后腹腔注射金环蛇毒心脏毒。结果: 腹腔注射金环蛇毒心脏毒, 能抑制肿瘤细胞的生长, 降低接 种率。但不能完全控制腹水和癌细胞的生长。体外试验表明有明显的细胞毒作用。台酚蓝染色镜检可见死细胞显著增加, 腹 水图片检查, 给药后细胞膜破裂, 纤维化坏死明显。结论: 能延长小白鼠存活时间。