湖南永州尖吻蝮蛇蛇毒的蛋白组分及毒性分析

采用Nano–LC–ESI–MS/MS蛋白鉴定技术对湖南永州尖吻蝮蛇蛇毒蛋白组分进行质谱分析,应用常规体外试管法对尖吻蝮蛇蛇毒体外溶血值进行检测,采用改良寇式法对尖吻蝮蛇蛇毒LD_(50)进行测定。结果显示:尖吻蝮蛇蛇毒含有50种蛋白,蛋白相对分子质量集中在1.0×10~4～2.0×10~4(46.9%)、4.0×10~4～5.0×10~4(22.4%)、2.0×10~4～3.0×10~4(10.6%)和7.0×10~4～8.0×10~4(7.6%),其中代表性的高丰度蛋白有蛇毒金属蛋白酶A(11.7%)、蛇毒金属蛋白酶H1(9.8%)、蕲蛇类凝血酶–2(7.3%)、抗凝血酶A–A亚基(6.8%),低丰度蛋白(0.1%)有Ecto–5'–核苷酸酶、碱性磷脂酶A2 DAV–N6、生长分化因子11;蛇毒引起红细胞溶血的最低质量浓度为60.00μg/mL,尖吻蝮蛇蛇毒对KM小鼠的LD_(50)为7.1796mg/kg,攻毒小鼠出现呼吸急促、躁动不安、注射部位出现奇特瘙痒和大面积溃烂,至死亡。     

AsKC11, a Kunitz Peptide from Anemonia sulcata,Is a Novel Activator of G Protein-Coupled Inward-Rectifier Potassium Channels

(1) Background: G protein-coupled inward-rectifier potassium (GIRK) channels, especially neuronal GIRK1/2 channels, have been the focus of intense research interest for developing drugs against brain diseases. In this context, venom peptides that selectively activate GIRK channels can be seen as a new source for drug development. Here, we report on the identification and electrophysiological characterization of a novel activator of GIRK1/2 channels, AsKC11, found in the venom of the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata. (2) Methods: AsKC11 was purified from the sea anemone venom by reverse-phase chromatography and the sequence was identified by mass spectrometry. Using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique, the activity of AsKC11 on GIRK1/2 channels was studied and its selectivity for other potassium channels was investigated. (3) Results: AsKC11, a Kunitz peptide found in the venom of A. sulcata, is the first peptide shown to directly activate neuronal GIRK1/2 channels independent from Gi/o protein activity, without affecting the inward-rectifier potassium channel (IRK1) and with only a minor effect on K_V1.6 channels. Thus, AsKC11 is a novel activator of GIRK channels resulting in larger K⁺ currents because of an increased chord conductance. (4) Conclusions: These discoveries provide new insights into a novel class of GIRK activators.     

Conotoxins: Therapeutic Potential and Application

The pharmacological variety of conotoxins, diverse peptides found in the venoms of marine cone snails, is well recognized. Venoms from each of the estimated 500 species of cone snails contain 50 to 200 distinct biologically active peptides. Most conotoxins characterized to date target receptors and ion channels of excitable tissues, such as ligand-gated nicotinic acetylcholine, N-methyl-D-aspartate, and type 3 serotonin receptors, as well as voltage-gated calcium, sodium, and potassium channels, and G-protein-coupled receptors including α-adrenergic, neurotensin, and vasopressin receptors, and the norepinephrine transporter. Several conotoxins have shown promise in preclinical models of pain, convulsive disorders, stroke, neuromuscular block, and cardioprotection. The pharmacological selectivity of the conotoxins, coupled with the safety and efficacy demonstrated in preclinical models, has led to their investigation as human therapeutic agents. In the following review, we will survey the pharmacology and therapeutic rationale of those conotoxins with potential clinical application, and discuss the unique challenges that each will face in the course of their transition from venom component to human therapeutic.     

Protease Inhibitors from Marine Venomous Animals and Their Counterparts in Terrestrial Venomous Animals

The Kunitz-type protease inhibitors are the best-characterized family of serine protease inhibitors, probably due to their abundance in several organisms. These inhibitors consist of a chain of ~60 amino acid residues stabilized by three disulfide bridges, and was first observed in the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI)-like protease inhibitors, which strongly inhibit trypsin and chymotrypsin. In this review we present the protease inhibitors (PIs) described to date from marine venomous animals, such as from sea anemone extracts and Conus venom, as well as their counterparts in terrestrial venomous animals, such as snakes, scorpions, spiders, Anurans, and Hymenopterans. More emphasis was given to the Kunitz-type inhibitors, once they are found in all these organisms. Their biological sources, specificity against different proteases, and other molecular blanks (being also K⁺ channel blockers) are presented, followed by their molecular diversity. Whereas sea anemone, snakes and other venomous animals present mainly Kunitz-type inhibitors, PIs from Anurans present the major variety in structure length and number of Cys residues, with at least six distinguishable classes. A representative alignment of PIs from these venomous animals shows that, despite eventual differences in Cys assignment, the key-residues for the protease inhibitory activity in all of them occupy similar positions in primary sequence. The key-residues for the K⁺ channel blocking activity was also compared.     

松树蜂毒液对寄主松树致病性机制的研究进展

松树蜂Sirex noctilio是一种原产于欧洲各国、蒙古国、格鲁吉亚共和国和北非国家的松科林木蛀干害虫,属于国际上重大林业检疫性有害生物。其雌成虫产卵时向寄主树干注射毒液和共生真菌——网隙裂粉韧革菌Amylostereum areolatum。一般认为毒液能削弱寄主林木的防御能力,是导致寄主树木针叶出现变黄、枯萎等早期病理症状的主导因素,也是为共生真菌侵染创造条件的“条件作用剂”。毒液和共生真菌均不能单独致死林木,只有两者联合作用才会对寄主林木有致死性。该文综述了松树蜂毒液成分及性质、寄主松树对毒液的生理响应和松树蜂毒液作用的分子机制,并对植物激素诱导植物防御反应的研究前景进行展望,以期有助于促进毒-菌致寄主林木受害机制的深入研究,有助于基于植物激素免疫诱抗剂等新防控途径的开发。