蝎短肽链神经毒素研究进展

对蝎短肽链神经毒素结构与功能研究进展作了简要的论述,蝎毒中富含短肽链神经毒素,至今已经分离纯化到60多种,它们的大小介于28－41个氨基酸残基之间,分子中含有3－4对二硫键,空间结构紧密,这些毒素可以特异性地与K＋,Cl-和Ca2 等离子通道相结合,由于它们对离子通道的选择性,这些毒素在药理学和神经生物学中已经得到了广泛的应用。     

东亚钳蝎K+通道阻断肽cDNA的克隆与表达

目的：克隆东亚钳蝎毒素基因,以进一步研究其生物学和药理学功能。方法：利用已知蝎神经毒素基因序列,设计引物,用RT-PCR方法克隆从蝎毒腺组织蝎毒素cDNA。结果：成功地克隆了一个新的东亚钳蝎毒素基因,该基因开放阅读框架编码59个氨基酸残基,其中前22个为信号肽,成熟肽为37个氨基酸残基,经PCR扩增除去信号肽序列,克隆到pTreHisA质粒中,在E．coli中表达了分子质量为7ku左右融合蛋白,表达产物占菌体总蛋白的21％左右。结论：其结构中含有三对二硫链,6个Cys残基组成蝎K^ 通道毒素共同特征序列-CXXXC-、-GXC-、-CXC-,推断其为K^ 通道阻断肽,命名为KChTX1。已被Gene-bank收录,收录号为AY129234。     

一个新的东亚钳蝎毒素(BmKT_1)全长cDNA的克隆和分析

首先构建了东亚钳蝎毒腺组织 c DNA文库 ;根据已知的东亚钳蝎哺乳动物毒素氨基酸序列保守区设计引物 ,并用 PCR从 c DNA文库中扩增出一个 c DNA片段作为筛选 c DNA文库的探针 ;从 c DNA文库中筛选到二个编码同一个新的蝎毒素多肽的 c DNA,它们除 3′- UTR外 ,其余序列完全一致 .它们均含有 2 55bp长的开放阅读框 ,编码 85肽的前体毒素 ,包括 1 9个氨基酸残基的信号肽 ,66个残基的成熟毒素 (命名为 Bm KT1) ;Bm KT1氨基酸序列与已知的蝎毒素具有较大的同源性 ,与 Bm KM1,Lqq ,Lqhα IT和 Bm K M10 的同源性分别为 77%、67%、67%和 65% .Bm KT1的 C端不存在末端修饰步骤且具有一个与这些毒素不相同的特征结构 ,即在末端延伸了两个氨基酸残基 - P- S,推测 Bm KT1具有新的活性功能特征 .     

蝎长链神经毒素研究进展

蝎长链神经毒素由60－76个残基组成,含4对二硫键,主要作用于可兴奋细胞的Na^ 通道,这些毒素的作用方式和选择性各有不同,其中功能相似的毒素,其蛋白质及基因序列也都很相似,所有这些长链毒素的三结构地都采用相似的折叠方式,对这些毒素结构与功能研究的深入,将有利于我们对蝎毒素作用机理的了解,并有可能使其更具有生物防虫害或疾病治疗等实际意义。     

海南捕鸟蛛毒素-IV突变体的固相合成和生理活性分析

海南捕鸟蛛毒素_IV(HNTX-IV)是从我国海南捕鸟蛛粗毒中分离出的一种TTX-敏感型的钠离子通道阻断剂 ,由 35个氨基酸残基组成 ,含 3对二硫键。为了研究HNTX-IV结构与功能的关系 ,用芴甲氧羰基 (Fomc)固相多肽合成方法合成了用丙氨酸 (Ala)替代HNTX-IV第 12位丝氨酸 (Ser12 )的突变体S12A_HNTX_IV和替代第 29位精氨酸 (Arg29)的突变体R29A-HNTX-IV。合成的突变体经谷胱甘肽法氧化复性和纯化后 ,分别用MALDI-TOF质谱进行分子量鉴定 ,用一维核磁共振波谱法分析空间结构的变化 ,膜片钳电生理方法分析生物学活性。结果表明 ,Ser12和Arg29被Ala突变后没有明显影响分子的空间结构 ,S12A-HNTX-IV的生物学活性与天然HNTX-IV的相近 ,提示Ser12与HNTX-IV的生物学活性无关或关系不大 ;而R29A-HNTX-IV的生物学活性下降了155倍 ,说明Arg29是与HNTX-IV生物学活性相关的关键残基之一。推测R29A-HNTX-IV活性的降低是由于Ala替代Arg后改变了HNTX-IV与受体作用的位点,而不是由于毒素分子整体空间结构变化所致。     

蝎β型昆虫毒素的结构及其与钠通道作用机制

蝎毒素是蝎为防卫的需要而产生的一系列活性短肽.其中蝎昆虫特异性毒素可特异性结合并调控昆虫可兴奋细胞膜上的钠离子通道,是研究离子通道结构与功能的首选探针,并在转基因抗虫植物及生物杀虫剂研究方面具有潜在的应用价值.本文对蝎β型昆虫毒素的结构与功能及其对钠离子通道的作用方式和β毒素的电压传感器捕获(voltage sensor-trapping)模型做一综述,为进一步揭示蝎β毒素的结构与功能的关系和在农作物抗虫领域的应用提供依据.     

马氏钳蝎中性神经毒素BmK M4 0.20nm晶体结构测定

BmKM4是一种中性蝎神经毒素,在BmK系列中具有中等毒性,属GroupⅢα-型毒素.纯化样品结晶为六方晶体,空间群为P61.运用X射线衍射分析技术,通过分子置换法在0.20nm分辨率水平测定了BmKM4晶体结构,并对模型结构进行了修正.最后的晶体学R因子为0.142,自由R因子为0.173,模型的标准键长偏差为0.0015nm,标准键角偏差为1.753°.在一个不对称单位里加入了64个水分子.精化的结构显示第10位残基含有1个反常的非脯氨酸顺式肽键.将精化后的结构与GroupⅡα-型蝎毒素BmKM8(酸性弱毒素)的结构进行比较,并以此为基础讨论该cis肽键可能的结构意义.     

海南捕鸟蛛毒素-Ⅳ突变体的固相合成和生理活性分析

海南捕鸟蛛毒素-Ⅳ(HNTX-Ⅳ)是从我国海南捕鸟蛛粗毒中分离出的一种TTX-敏感型的钠离子通道阻断剂,由35个氨基酸残基组成,含3对二硫键.为了研究HNTX-Ⅳ结构与功能的关系,用芴甲氧羰基(Fomc)固相多肽合成方法合成了用丙氨酸(Ala)替代HNTX-Ⅳ第12位丝氨酸(Ser12)的突变体S12A-HNTX-Ⅳ和替代第29位精氨酸(Arg29)的突变体R29A-HNTX-Ⅳ.合成的突变体经谷胱甘肽法氧化复性和纯化后,分别用MALDI-TOF质谱进行分子量鉴定,用一维核磁共振波谱法分析空间结构的变化,膜片钳电生理方法分析生物学活性.结果表明,Ser12和Arg29被Ala突变后没有明显影响分子的空间结构,S12A-HNTX-Ⅳ的生物学活性与天然HNTX-Ⅳ的相近,提示Ser12与HNTX-Ⅳ的生物学活性无关或关系不大;而R29A-HNTX-Ⅳ的生物学活性下降了155倍,说明Arg29是与HNTX-Ⅳ生物学活性相关的关键残基之一.推测R29A-HNTX-Ⅳ活性的降低是由于Ala替代Arg后改变了HNTX-Ⅳ与受体作用的位点,而不是由于毒素分子整体空间结构变化所致.     

Arg26和Lys27突变对海南捕鸟蛛毒素-Ⅳ生物活性影响

海南捕鸟蛛毒素Ⅳ(hainantoxin-Ⅳ,HNTX-Ⅳ)是一种新型的从海南捕鸟蛛粗毒中分离纯化的作用于河豚毒素敏感型(tetrodotoxinsensitive,TTXS)钠通道阻断剂.采用2D1HNMR技术解析HNTXⅣ的空间结构为胱氨酸抑制剂结模体,为进一步阐述HNTX-Ⅳ结构与功能的关系,应用固相Fmoc方法化学合成了用丙氨酸代替海南捕鸟蛛毒素Ⅳ第26位精氨酸的单残基突变体R26AHNTXⅣ和第27位赖氨酸的单残基突变体K27AHNTXⅣ.合成的突变体用谷胱甘肽法氧化复性并通过反相高效液相色谱(RPHPLC)纯化.通过MALDITOF质谱测定突变体的分子量.通过核磁共振谱仪测定突变体的空间结构.通过全细胞膜片钳实验比较天然HNTX-Ⅳ(nHNTX-Ⅳ)和两个突变体分子的生物学活性.结果发现,nHNTX-Ⅳ的R26或K27被突变后的空间结构没有发生明显变化.R26AHNTX-Ⅳ能明显抑制TTXS钠电流,K27AHNTX-Ⅳ对TTXS钠电流无明显影响.说明第26位的精氨酸与HNTX-Ⅳ的生物学活性无关,而第27位赖氨酸则是HNTX-Ⅳ的关键残基.     

虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素-III及其天然突变体的纯化与鉴定(英文)

虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III及其天然突变体是从虎纹捕鸟蛛粗毒中分离得到的两个毒素多肽。虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III含 33个氨基酸残基 ,其中包含 6个半胱氨酸残基 ;而其天然突变体只比虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III少了C端的色氨酸残基。MALDI TOF质谱测得虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III及其天然突变体的分子量分别为 385 3.35和 36 6 7.4 0。通过比较其理论分子量和质谱测定的分子量表明两个多肽的 6个半胱氨酸残基分别形成了三对二硫键。虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III与从同一种蜘蛛分离得到的凝集素 I具有 70 .5 %的序列相似性。生物学活性实验表明 ,虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III具有使美洲蜚蠊可逆的致瘫作用 ,其半有效剂量 (ED50 )为 (1 92 .95±1 2 0 .84 ) μg/g (P =0 .95 ) ,而且能加强由电刺激引起的大鼠输精管收缩 ;而其天然突变体却不具有上述生物学活性 ,表明C端色氨酸残基为虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III生物学活性相关残基 ;同时虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III及其天然突变体都不具有类似于凝集素 I对红细胞的凝集活性 ,表明虎纹捕鸟蛛毒素 III和凝集素 I两者氨基酸序列中不同氨基酸残基对于决定两者的生物学活性有着重要的作用     

Solution structure of IsTX. A male scorpion toxin from Opisthacanthus madagascariensis (Ischnuridae).

The novel sex-specific potassium channel inhibitor IsTX, a 41-residue peptide, was isolated from the venom of male Opisthacanthus madagascariensis. Two-dimensional NMR techniques revealed that the structure of IsTX contains a cysteine-stabilized alpha/beta-fold. IsTX is classified, based on its sequential and structural similarity, in the scorpion short toxin family alpha-KTx6. The alpha-KTx6 family contains a single alpha-helix and two beta-strands connected by four disulfide bridges and binds to voltage-gated K(+) channels and apamin-sensitive Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. The three-dimensional structure of IsTX is similar to that of Heterometrus spinifer toxin (HsTX1). HsTX1 blocks the Kv1.3 channel at picomolar concentrations, whereas IsTX has much lower affinities (10 000-fold). To investigate the structure-activity relationship, the geometry of sidechains and electrostatic surface potential maps were compared with HsTX1. As a result of the comparison of the primary structures, Lys27 of IsTX was conserved at the same position in HsTX1. The analogous Lys23 of HsTX1, the most critical residue for binding to potassium channels, binds to the channel pore. However, IsTX has fewer basic residues to interact with acidic channel surfaces than HsTX1. MALDI-TOF MS analysis clearly indicated that IsTX was found in male scorpion venom, but not in female. This is the first report that scorpion venom contains sex-specific compounds.     

Expression and mutagenesis of the sea anemone toxin Av2 reveals key amino acid residues important for activity on voltage-gated sodium channels

Type I sea anemone toxins are highly potent modulators of voltage-gated Na-channels (Na(v)s) and compete with the structurally dissimilar scorpion alpha-toxins on binding to receptor site-3. Although these features provide two structurally different probes for studying receptor site-3 and channel fast inactivation, the bioactive surface of sea anemone toxins has not been fully resolved. We established an efficient expression system for Av2 (known as ATX II), a highly insecticidal sea anemone toxin from Anemonia viridis (previously named A. sulcata), and mutagenized it throughout. Each toxin mutant was analyzed in toxicity and binding assays as well as by circular dichroism spectroscopy to discern the effects derived from structural perturbation from those related to bioactivity. Six residues were found to constitute the anti-insect bioactive surface of Av2 (Val-2, Leu-5, Asn-16, Leu-18, and Ile-41). Further analysis of nine Av2 mutants on the human heart channel Na(v)1.5 expressed in Xenopus oocytes indicated that the bioactive surfaces toward insects and mammals practically coincide but differ from the bioactive surface of a structurally similar sea anemone toxin, Anthopleurin B, from Anthopleura xanthogrammica. Hence, our results not only demonstrate clear differences in the bioactive surfaces of Av2 and scorpion alpha-toxins but also indicate that despite the general conservation in structure and importance of the Arg-14 loop and its flanking residues Gly-10 and Gly-20 for function, the surface of interaction between different sea anemone toxins and Na(v)s varies.     

Crystal structure determination of an acidic neurotoxin (BmK M8) from scorpion Buthm martensii Karsch at 0.25nm resolution

The crystal structure of an acidic neurotoxin, BmK M8, from Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch was determined at 0.25 nm resolution. The X-ray diffraction data of BmK M8 crystals at 0.25nm resolution were collected on a Siemens area detector. Using molecular replacement method with a basic scorpion toxin AaH II in a search model, the cross-rotation function, PC-refinement and translation function were calculated by X-PLOR program package. The correct orientation and position of BmK M8 molecule in crystal were determined in a resolution range of 1.5 - 0.35nm, The oystallographic refinement was further performed by stereo-chemical restrict least-square technique, followed by simulated annealing, slow-cooling protocols. The final crystallographic R-factor at 0.8-0.25 nm is 0.171. The standard deviations of bond length and bond angle from ideality are 0.001 7nm and 2.24° , respectively. The final model of BmK M8 structure is composed of a dense core of secondary structure elements by a stretch of α-     

Key amino acid residues involved in mammalian and insecticidal activities of Magi4 and Hv1b,cysteine-rich spider peptides from the δ-atracotoxin family

δ-Atracotoxins, also known as δ-hexatoxins, are spider neurotoxic peptides, lethal to both vertebrates and insects. Their mechanism of action involves the binding to of the S3/S4 loop of the domain IV of the voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_v). Because of the chemical difficulties of synthesizing folded synthetic δ-atracotoxins correctly, here we explore an expression system that is designed to produce biologically active recombinant δ-atracotoxins, and a number of variants, in order to establish certain amino acids implicated in the pharmacophore of this lethal neurotoxin. In order to elucidate and verify which amino acid residues play a key role that is toxic to vertebrates and insects, amino acid substitutes were produced by aligning the primary structures of several lethal δ-atracotoxins with those of δ-atracotoxins-Hv1b; a member of the δ-atracotoxin family that has low impact on vertebrates and is not toxic to insects. Our findings corroborate that the substitutions of the amino acid residue Y22 from δ-atracotoxin-Mg1a (Magi4) to K22 in δ-atracotoxin-Hv1b reduces its mammalian activity. Moreover, the substitutions of the amino acid residues Y22 and N26 from δ-atracotoxin-Mg1a (Magi4) to K22 and N26 in δ-atracotoxin-Hv1b reduces its insecticidal activity. Also, the basic residues K4 and R5 are important for keeping such insecticidal activity. Structural models suggest that such residues are clustered onto two bioactive surfaces, which share similar areas, previously reported as bioactive surfaces for scorpion α-toxins. Furthermore, these bioactive surfaces were also found to be similar to those found in related spider and anemone toxins, which affect the same Na_v receptor, indicating that these motifs are important not only for scorpion but may be also for animal toxins that affect the S3/S4 loop of the domain IV of the Na_v.

     

A spider toxin that induces a typical effect of scorpion alpha-toxins but competes with beta-toxins on binding to insect sodium channels

Delta-palutoxins from the spider Paracoelotes luctuosus (Araneae: Amaurobiidae) are 36-37 residue long peptides that show preference for insect sodium channels (NaChs) and modulate their function. Although they slow NaCh inactivation in a fashion similar to that of receptor site 3 modifiers, such as scorpion alpha-toxins, they actually bind with high affinity to the topologically distinct receptor site 4 of scorpion beta-toxins. To resolve this riddle, we scanned by Ala mutagenesis the surface of delta-PaluIT2, a delta-palutoxin variant with the highest affinity for insect NaChs, and compared it to the bioactive surface of a scorpion beta-toxin. We found three regions on the surface of delta-PaluIT2 important for activity: the first consists of Tyr-22 and Tyr-30 (aromatic), Ser-24 and Met-28 (polar), and Arg-8, Arg-26, Arg-32, and Arg-34 (basic) residues; the second is made of Trp-12; and the third is made of Asp-19, whose substitution by Ala uncoupled the binding from toxicity to lepidopteran larvae. Although spider delta-palutoxins and scorpion beta-toxins have developed from different ancestors, they show some commonality in their bioactive surfaces, which may explain their ability to compete for an identical receptor (site 4) on voltage-gated NaChs. Yet, their different mode of channel modulation provides a novel perspective about the structural relatedness of receptor sites 3 and 4, which until now have been considered topologically distinct.     

Miniaturization of scorpion beta-toxins uncovers a putative ancestral surface of interaction with voltage-gated sodium channels

The bioactive surface of scorpion beta-toxins that interact with receptor site-4 at voltage-gated sodium channels is constituted of residues of the conserved betaalphabetabeta core and the C-tail. In an attempt to evaluate the extent by which residues of the toxin core contribute to bioactivity, the anti-insect and anti-mammalian beta-toxins Bj-xtrIT and Css4 were truncated at their N and C termini, resulting in miniature peptides composed essentially of the core secondary structure motives. The truncated beta-toxins (DeltaDeltaBj-xtrIT and DeltaDeltaCss4) were non-toxic and did not compete with the parental toxins on binding at receptor site-4. Surprisingly, DeltaDeltaBj-xtrIT and DeltaDeltaCss4 were capable of modulating in an allosteric manner the binding and effects of site-3 scorpion alpha-toxins in a way reminiscent of that of brevetoxins, which bind at receptor site-5. While reducing the binding and effect of the scorpion alpha-toxin Lqh2 at mammalian sodium channels, they enhanced the binding and effect of LqhalphaIT at insect sodium channels. Co-application of DeltaDeltaBj-xtrIT or DeltaDeltaCss4 with brevetoxin abolished the brevetoxin effect, although they did not compete in binding. These results denote a novel surface at DeltaDeltaBj-xtrIT and DeltaDeltaCss4 capable of interaction with sodium channels at a site other than sites 3, 4, or 5, which prior to the truncation was masked by the bioactive surface that interacts with receptor site-4. The disclosure of this hidden surface at both beta-toxins may be viewed as an exercise in "reverse evolution," providing a clue as to their evolution from a smaller ancestor of similar scaffold.     

Diversification of neurotoxins by C-tail 'wiggling': a scorpion recipe for survival.

The structure of bioactive surfaces of proteins is a subject of intensive research, yet the mechanisms by which such surfaces have evolved are largely unknown. Polypeptide toxins produced by venomous animals such as sea anemones, cone snails, scorpions, and snakes show multiple routes for active site diversification, each maintaining a typical conserved scaffold. Comparative analysis of an array of genetically related scorpion polypeptide toxins that modulate sodium channels in neuronal membranes suggests a unique route of toxic site diversification. This premise is based on recent identification of bioactive surfaces of toxin representative of three distinct pharmacological groups and a comparison of their 3-dimensional structures. Despite their similar scaffold, the bioactive surfaces of the various toxins vary considerably, but always coincide with the molecular exterior onto which the C-tail is anchored. Superposition of the toxin structures indicates that the C-tails diverge from a common structural start point, which suggests that the pharmacological versatility displayed by these toxins might have been achieved along evolution via structural reconfiguration of the C-tail, leading to reshaping of new bioactive surfaces.     

Isolation and characterization of a novel type of neurotoxic peptide from the venom of the South African scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus (Buthidae).

The venom of the South African scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus was characterized using a combination of mass spectrometry and RP-HPLC separation and bioassays. The crude venom was initially separated into 10 fractions. A novel, moderately toxic but very high abundance peptide (birtoxin) of 58 amino-acid residues was isolated, identified and characterized. Each purification step was followed by bioassays and mass spectroscopy. First a C4 RP-HPLC column was used, then a C18 RP Microbore column purification resulted in > 95% purity in the case of birtoxin from a starting material of 230 microg of crude venom. About 12-14% of the D214 absorbance of the total venom as observed after the first chromatography step was composed of birtoxin. This peptide was lethal to mice at low microgram quantities and it induced serious symptoms including tremors, which lasted up to 24 h post injection, at submicrogram amounts. At least seven other fractions that showed different activities including one fraction with specificity against blowfly larvae were identified. Identification of potent components is an important step in designing and obtaining effective anti-venom. Antibodies raised against the critical toxic components have the potential to block the toxic effects and reduce the pain associated with the scorpion envenomation. The discovery of birtoxin, a bioactive long chain neurotoxin peptide with only three disulfide bridges, offers new insight into understanding the role of conserved disulfide bridges with respect to scorpion toxin structure and function.     

BmK-YA, an enkephalin-like peptide in scorpion venom

By screening extracts of venom from the Asian scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK) for their abilities to activate opioid receptors, we have identified BmK-YA, an amidated peptide containing an enkephalin-like sequence. BmK-YA is encoded by a precursor that displays a signal sequence and contains four copies of BmK-YA sequences and four of His(4)-BmK-YA, all flanked by single amino acid residues. BmK-YA and His(4)-BmK-YA are amidated and thus fulfill the characteristics expected of bioactive peptides. BmK-YA can activate mammalian opioid receptors with selectivity for the δ subtype while His(4)-BmK-YA is inactive at opioid receptors. The discovery of BmK-YA suggests that scorpion venom may represent a novel source of bioactive molecules targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and reveal additional insights on the evolution of the opioid precursors.     

Common features in the functional surface of scorpion beta-toxins and elements that confer specificity for insect and mammalian voltage-gated sodium channels

Scorpion beta-toxins that affect the activation of mammalian voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) have been studied extensively, but little is known about their functional surface and mode of interaction with the channel receptor. To enable a molecular approach to this question, we have established a successful expression system for the anti-mammalian scorpion beta-toxin, Css4, whose effects on rat brain Navs have been well characterized. A recombinant toxin, His-Css4, was obtained when fused to a His tag and a thrombin cleavage site and had similar binding affinity for and effect on Na currents of rat brain sodium channels as those of the native toxin isolated from the scorpion venom. Molecular dissection of His-Css4 elucidated a functional surface of 1245 A2 composed of the following: 1) a cluster of residues associated with the alpha-helix, which includes a putative "hot spot" (this cluster is conserved among scorpion beta-toxins and contains their "pharmacophore"); 2) a hydrophobic cluster associated mainly with the beta2 and beta3 strands, which is likely to confer the specificity for mammalian Navs; 3) a single bioactive residue (Trp-58) in the C-tail; and 4) a negatively charged residue (Glu-15) involved in voltage sensor trapping as inferred from our ability to uncouple toxin binding from activity upon its substitution. This study expands our understanding about the mode of action of scorpion beta-toxins and illuminates differences in the functional surfaces that may dictate their specificities for mammalian versus insect sodium channels.