Cloning and Identification of a Complete cDNA Coding for a Bactericidal and Antitumoral Acidic Phospholipase A2 from Bothrops jararacussu Venom

In order to better understand the function of acidic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) from snake venoms, expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that code for acidic PLA2s were isolated from a cDNA library prepared from the poly(A)+ RNA of venomous glands of Bothrops jararacussu. The complete nucleotide sequence (366 bp), named BOJU-III, encodes the BthA-I-PLA2 precursor, which includes a signal peptide and the mature protein with 16 and 122 amino acid residues, respectively. Multiple comparison of both the nucleotide and respective deduced amino acid sequence with EST and protein sequences from databases revealed that the full-length cDNA identified (BOJU III--AY145836) is related to an acidic PLA2 sharing similarity, within the range 55-81%, with acidic phospholipases from snake venoms. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences of acidic PLA2s from several pit viper genera showed close evolutionary relationships among acidic PLA2s from Bothrops, Crotalus, and Trimeresurus. The molecular modeling showed structural similarity with other dimeric class II PLA2s from snake venoms. The native protein BthA-I-PLA2, a nontoxic acidic PLA2 directly isolated from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom, was purified and submitted to various bioassays. BthA-I-PLA2 displayed high catalytic activity and induced Ca2+-dependent liposome disruption. Edema induced by this PLA2 was inhibited by indomethacin and dexamethasone, thus suggesting involvement of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. BthA-I-PLA2 showed anticoagulant activity upon human plasma and inhibited phospholipid-dependent platelet aggregation induced by collagen or ADP. In addition, it displayed bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and antitumoral effect upon breast adrenocarcinoma as well as upon human leukemia T and Erlich ascitic tumor. Following chemical modification with p-bromophenacyl bromide, total loss of the enzymatic and pharmacological activities were observed. This is the first report on the isolation and identification of a cDNA encoding a complete acidic PLA2 from Bothrops venom, exhibiting bactericidal and antitumoral effects.     

Structural and functional analysis of BmjMIP,a phospholipase A2 myotoxin inhibitor protein from Bothrops moojeni snake plasma

A protein, which neutralizes the enzymatic, toxic, and pharmacological activities of various basic and acidic phospholipases A(2) from the venoms of Bothrops moojeni, Bothrops pirajai, and Bothrops jararacussu, was isolated from B. moojeni snake plasma by affinity chromatography using immobilized myotoxins on Sepharose gel. Biochemical characterization of this myotoxin inhibitor protein (BmjMIP) showed it to be an oligomeric glycoprotein with a M(r) of 23,000-25,000 for the monomeric subunit. BmjMIP was stable in the pH range from 4.0 to 12.0, between 4 and 80 degrees C, even after deglycosylation. The role of the carbohydrate moiety was investigated and found not to affect the in vitro function of the inhibitor. The corresponding 500bp cDNA obtained by RT-PCR from the liver of the snake encodes a mature protein of 166 amino acid residues including a 19 amino acid signal peptide. The primary structure of BmjMIP showed a high similarity with other snake phospholipase A(2) inhibitors (PLIs) in which the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and the glycosylation site (Asn103) are conserved. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that no significant alterations in the secondary structure of either the BmjMIP or the target protein occur upon their interaction. BmjMIP has a wide range of inhibitory properties against basic and acidic PLA(2)s from Bothrops venoms (anti-enzymatic, anti-myotoxic, anti-edema inducing, anti-cytotoxic, anti-bactericidal, and anti-lethal). However, the inhibitor showed a reduced ability to neutralize the biological activities of crotoxin B (CB), the PLA(2) homologue associated with crotapotin in Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom. Finally, the purified PLA(2) inhibitor was shown to protect in vivo against the toxic and pharmacological effects of a homologous PLA(2) enzyme, suggesting that PLIs or a corresponding derived peptide may prove useful in the treatment of snakebite victims or, more importantly, in the treatment of the many human diseases in which these enzymes have been implicated.     

Isolation, characterization and biological activity of acidic phospholipase A2 isoforms from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom

Acidic phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) isoforms in snake venoms, particularly those from Bothrops jararacussu, have not been characterized. This article reports the isolation and partial biochemical, functional and structural characterization of four acidic PLA(2)s (designated SIIISPIIA, SIIISPIIB, SIIISPIIIA and SIIISPIIIB) from this venom. The single chain purified proteins contained 122 amino acid residues and seven disulfide bonds with approximate molecular masses of 15 kDa and isoelectric points of 5.3. The respective N-terminal sequences were: SIIISPIIA-SLWQFGKMIDYVMGEEGAKS; SIIISPIIB-SLWQFGKMIFYTGKNEPVLS; SIIISPIIIA-SLWQFGKMILYVMGGEGVKQ and SIIISPIIIB-SLWQFGKMIFYEMTGEGVL. Crystals of the acidic protein SIIISPIIB diffracted beyond 1.8 A resolution. These crystals are monoclinic with unit cell dimensions of a = 40.1 A, b = 54.2 A and c = 90.7 A. The crystal structure has been refined to a crystallographic residual of 16.1% (R(free) = 22.9%). Specific catalytic activity (U/mg) of the isolated acidic PLA(2)s were SIIISPIIA = 290.3 U/mg; SIIISPIIB = 279.0 U/mg; SIIISPIIIA = 270.7 U/mg and SIIISPIIIB = 96.5 U/mg. Although their myotoxic activity was low, SIIISPIIA, SIIISPIIB and SIIISPIIIA showed significant anticoagulant activity. However, there was no indirect hemolytic activity. SIIISPIIIB revealed no anticoagulant, but presented indirect hemolytic activity. With the exception of SIIISPIIB, which inhibited platelet aggregation, all the others were capable of inducing time-independent edema. Chemical modification with 4-bromophenacyl bromide did not inhibit the induction of edema, but did suppress other activities.     

Purification of a Class B1 platelet aggregation inhibitor phospholipase A2 from Indian cobra (Naja Naja) venom

A platelet aggregation inhibitor phospholipase A(2) (NND-IV-PLA(2)) was isolated from Naja naja (Eastern India) venom by a combination of cation and anion exchange chromatography. NND-IV-PLA(2) is the most catalytically active enzyme isolated from the Indian cobra venom. The acidic PLA(2) profile of Eastern regional Indian cobra venom is distinctly different from that of the western regional venom. However the acidic PLA(2)s from both the regions follow the pattern of increasing catalytic activity with increase in acidic nature of the PLA(2) isoform. NND-IV-PLA(2) is a Class B1 platelet aggregation inhibitor and inhibits platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen and epinephrine. Modification of active site histidine abolishes both catalytic activity and platelet aggregation inhibition activities while aristolochic acid, a phospholipase A(2) inhibitor has only partial effect on the two activities.     

尖吻蝮蛇毒酸性磷脂酶A_2I的表达及其生化特征

将尖吻蝮蛇毒酸性磷脂酶 Ａ２ Ｉ（ Ａ．ａ Ａ Ｐ Ｌ Ａ２ Ｉ） 的基因克隆至表达载体ｐ Ｂ Ｌ Ｍ Ｖ Ｌ２ , 在大肠杆菌 Ｒ Ｒ１ 中成功表达。表达产物 Ａ．ａ Ａ Ｐ Ｌ Ａ２ Ｉ约占细菌蛋白质总量的３０ ％ , 以包含体的形式存在。纯化包含体后, 将产物变性、复性, 然后用 Ｆ Ｐ Ｌ Ｃ Ｓｕｐｅｒｏｓｅ Ｔ Ｍ１２ 纯化, 产物经过 Ｓ Ｄ Ｓ Ｐ Ａ Ｇ Ｅ 检测只有单一条带。对表达的 Ａ．ａ Ａ Ｐ Ｌ Ａ２ Ｉ进行了酶活性、抑制血小板聚集活性和溶血活性的测定。结果显示, 表达的 Ａ．ａ Ａ Ｐ Ｌ Ａ２ Ｉ的酶活性同变性后复性江浙蝮蛇酸性磷脂酶 Ａ２（ Ａ Ｐ Ｌ Ａ２） 的酶活性相近, 既具有抑制血小板聚集活性也具有溶血活性。最后对磷脂酶 Ａ２（ Ｐ Ｌ Ａ２） 的结构与这些活性的关系进行了讨论     

Coagulant thrombin-like enzyme (barnettobin) from Bothrops barnetti venom: Molecular sequence analysis of its cDNA and biochemical properties

The thrombin-like enzyme from Bothrops barnetti named barnettobin was purified. We report some biochemical features of barnettobin including the complete amino acid sequence that was deduced from the cDNA. Snake venom serine proteases affect several steps of human hemostasis ranging from the blood coagulation cascade to platelet function. Barnettobin is a monomeric glycoprotein of 52 kDa as shown by reducing SDS-PAGE, and contains approx. 52% carbohydrate by mass which could be removed by N-glycosidase. The complete amino acid sequence was deduced from the cDNA sequence. Its sequence contains a single chain of 233 amino acid including three N-glycosylation sites. The sequence exhibits significant homology with those of mammalian serine proteases e.g. thrombin and with homologous TLEs. Its specific coagulant activity was 251.7 NIH thrombin units/mg, releasing fibrinopeptide A from human fibrinogen and showed defibrinogenating effect in mouse. Both coagulant and amidolytic activities were inhibited by PMSF. N-deglycosylation impaired its temperature and pH stability. Its cDNA sequence with 750 bp encodes a protein of 233 residues. Indications that carbohydrate moieties may play a role in the interaction with substrates are presented. Barnettobin is a new defibrinogenating agent which may provide an opportunity for the development of new types of anti-thrombotic drugs.     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of two isoforms of dermonecrotic toxin from Loxosceles intermedia (brown spider) venom gland

Brown spider (Genus Loxosceles) bites are normally associated with necrotic skin degeneration, gravitational spreading, massive inflammatory response at injured region, platelet aggregation causing thrombocytopenia and renal disturbances. Brown spider venom has a complex composition containing many different toxins, of which a well-studied component is the dermonecrotic toxin. This toxin alone may produce necrotic lesions, inflammatory response and platelet aggregation. Biochemically, dermonecrotic toxin belongs to a family of toxins with 30-35 kDa characterized as sphingomyelinase-D. Here, employing a cDNA library of Loxosceles intermedia venom gland, we cloned and expressed two recombinant isoforms of the dermonecrotic toxin LiRecDT2 (1062 bp cDNA) and LiRecDT3 (1007 bp cDNA) that encode for signal peptides and complete mature proteins. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed a structural relationship for these toxins compared to other members of family. Recombinant molecules were expressed as N-terminal His-tag fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and were purified to homogeneity from cell lysates by Ni(2+) chelating chromatography, resulting in proteins of 33.8 kDa for LiRecDT2 and 34.0 kDa for LiRecDT3. Additional evidence for related toxins containing sequence/epitopes identity comes from antigenic cross-reactivity using antibodies against crude venom toxins and antibodies raised with a purified dermonecrotic toxin. Recombinant toxins showed differential functionality in rabbits: LiRecDT2 caused a macroscopic lesion with gravitational spreading upon intradermal injection, while LiRecDT3 evoked transient swelling and erythema upon injection site. Light microscopic analysis of skin biopsies revealed edema, a collection of inflammatory cells in and around blood vessels and a proteinaceous network at the dermis. Moreover, differential functionality for recombinant toxins was also demonstrated by a high sphingomyelinase activity for LiRecDT2 and low activity for LiRecDT3 as well as greater in vitro platelet aggregation and blood vessel permeability induced by LiRecDT2 and residual activity for LiRecDT3. Cloning and expression of two recombinant dermonecrotic toxins demonstrate an intraspecific family of homologous toxins that act in synergism for deleterious activities of the venom and open possibilities for biotechnological applications for recombinant toxins as research tools for understanding the inflammatory response, vascular integrity and platelet aggregation modulators.     

皖南尖吻蝮蛇毒中类去整合蛋白/富含半胱氨酸两结构域cDNA的克隆和表达

为了探讨出血毒金属蛋白酶结构功能关系 ,通过 RT- PCR方法 ,从皖南尖吻蝮蛇( Agkistrodon acutus)毒腺总 RNA中扩增得到编码 P- 型出血毒金属蛋白酶的完整类去整合蛋白和富含半胱氨酸两个结构域 c DNA( AA/DC) .它全长 964bp的 c DNA,开放阅读框架编码 2 1 6个氨基酸残基 ,序列比较分析表明它同来自 Bothrops jararaca的 jararhagin- C、来自 Crotalus atrox的 catrocollastatin- C有很高的同源性 .在类去整合蛋白结构域中 ,Ser- Glu- Cys- Asp( SECD)代替了去整合蛋白中相应部位的 Arg- Gly- Asp( RGD)三肽序列 .将编码区基因克隆入 p GEX- 2 T载体中 ,转化大肠杆菌 TG- 1 ,用 IPTG诱导表达 ,表达产物具有抑制胶原诱导的血小板凝集活性 ,但不抑制ADP诱导的血小板凝集 .该研究为进一步阐述蛇毒金属蛋白酶结构功能关系和药物开发奠定了基础 .     

A catalytically inactive Lys49 PLA2 isoform from Bothrops jararacussu venom that stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells

A new secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) isoform from Bothrops jararacussu venom (BjVIII) has been characterized by causing platelet aggregation, an absent activity in BthTx-I, Prtx-I and PrTx-II sPLA2s. According to our results, BjVIII also enhances insulin release by the pancreatic beta cells. The complete amino acid sequence of the new isoform was determined by Edman degradation and de novo peptide sequencing. These analyses showed a G35K amino acid modification for BjVIII in comparison with BthTx-I, PrTx-I and Prtx-II, a structural difference that has been related to the conflicting biological activities among BjVIII and other Lys49 sPLA2s. The whole set of evidences collected in this work indicates that, besides the C-terminal region and B-wing of PLA2, the calcium binding loop in BjVIII should be considered as an important region, involved in the pharmacological effects of Lys49-sPLA2 isoforms from the Bothrops genus.     

Purification, sequencing and structural analysis of two acidic phospholipases A2 from the venom of Bothrops insularis (jararaca ilhoa)

Bothrops snake venoms contain a variety of phospholipases (PLA(2)), some of which are myotoxic. In this work, we used reverse-phase HPLC and mass spectrometry to purify and sequence two PLA(2) from the venom of Bothrops insularis. The two enzymes, designated here as BinTX-I and BinTx-II, were acidic (pI 5.05 and 4.49) Asp49 PLA(2), with molecular masses of 13,975 and 13,788, respectively. The amino acid sequence and molecular mass of BinTX-I were identical to those of a PLA(2) previously isolated from this venom (PA2_BOTIN, SwissProt accession number ) while those of BinTX-II indicated that this was a new enzyme. Multiple sequence alignments with other Bothrops PLA(2) showed that the amino acids His48, Asp49, Tyr52 and Asp99, which are important for enzymatic activity, were fully conserved, as were the 14 cysteine residues involved in disulfide bond formation, in addition to various other residues. A phylogenetic analysis showed that BinTX-I and BinTX-II grouped with other acidic Asp49 PLA(2) from Bothrops venoms, and computer modeling indicated that these enzymes had the characteristic structure of bothropic PLA(2) that consisted of three alpha-helices, a beta-wing, a short helix and a calcium-binding loop. BinTX-I (30 microg/paw) produced mouse hind paw edema that was maximal after 1h compared to after 3h with venom (10 and 100 microg/paw); in both cases, the edema decreased after 6h. BinTX-1 and venom (40 microg/ml each) produced time-dependent neuromuscular blockade in chick biventer cervicis preparations that reached 40% and 95%, respectively, after 120 min. BinTX-I also produced muscle fiber damage and an elevation in CK, as also seen with venom. These results indicate that BinTX-I contributes to the neuromuscular activity and tissue damage caused by B. insularis venom in vitro and in vivo.     

一种新的烙铁头蛇毒肌肉毒素

用分子筛和快速蛋白质液相色谱从烙铁头（ＴＲｒｉｍｅｒｅｓｕｒｕｓ ｍｕｃｒｏｓｑｕａｍａｔｕｓ）蛇毒中分离了一个新的碱性肌肉毒素,命名为ＴＭＰＢ。它的分子量为１６０００,等电点为９．２．用蛋白质序列仪测定了其Ｎ端２４个氨基酸残基,ＴＭＰＢ与其他两个从同种蛇毒中分离到的碱性磷酯酶Ａ２的同源性分别为４１．７％和５４．２％《     

A common precursor for a putative hemorrhagic protein and rhodostomin, a platelet aggregation inhibitor of the venom of Calloselasma rhodostoma: molecular cloning and sequence analysis.

Rhodostomin is a platelet aggregation inhibitor secreted by the venom gland of Calloselasma rhodostoma. We report here the isolation of a 1.67-kilobase (kb) lambda gt11 cDNA clone using degenerate oligonucleotide probe based on a partial amino acid sequence of rhodostomin. The amino acid sequence deduced from an open reading frame of the cDNA indicates that (i) the 68-amino acid sequence of rhodostomin is located at the carboxyl terminus of the precursor polypeptide and (ii) a peroxisomal targeting sequence (ser.his.ala.) exists between the stop codon and the rhodostomin sequence of the precursor. Since the amino-terminal segment of the deduced sequence shows a high degree of identity with hemorrhagic proteins, which are zinc-metalloproteinases, found in the venom of some crotalid and viperid snakes, our results also predict the existence of at least one such hemorrhagic protein in the venom of Calloselasma rhodostoma. The derivation of a platelet aggregation inhibitor and a hemorrhagic protein from the same precursor protein is consistent with the fact that these proteins may be synergistic in function.     

Sequence of a cDNA clone encoding the zinc metalloproteinase hemorrhagic toxin e from Crotalus atrox: evidence for signal, zymogen, and disintegrin-like structures.

The sequence of two overlapping cDNA clones for the zinc metalloproteinase hemorrhagic toxin e (also known as atrolysin e, EC 3.4.24.44) from the venom gland of Crotalus atrox, the Western diamondback rattlesnake, is presented. The assembled cDNA sequence is 1975 nucleotides in length and encodes an open reading frame of 478 amino acids. The mature hemorrhagic toxin e protein as isolated from the crude venom has a molecular weight of approximately 24,000 and thus represents the processed product of this open reading frame. From the deduced amino acid sequence, it can be hypothesized that the enzyme is translated with a signal sequence of 18 amino acids, an amino-terminal propeptide of 169 amino acids, a central hemorrhagic proteinase domain of 202 amino acids, and a carboxy-terminal sequence of 89 amino acids. The propeptide has a short region similar to the region involved in the activation of matrix metalloproteinase zymogens. The proteinase domain is similar to other snake venom metalloproteinases, with over 57% identity to the low molecular weight proteinases HR2a and H2-proteinase from the Habu snake Trimeresurus flavoviridis. The carboxy-terminal region, which is not observed in the mature protein, strongly resembles the protein sequence immediately following the proteinase domain of HR1B (a high molecular weight hemorrhagic proteinase from the venom of T. flavoviridis) and the members of a different family of snake venom polypeptides known for their platelet aggregation inhibitory activity, the disintegrins. The cDNA sequence bears striking similarity to a previously reported sequence for a disintegrin cDNA. This report is evidence that this subfamily of venom metalloproteinases is synthesized in a proenzyme form which must be proteolytically activated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cloning,characterization, and functional studies of a 47-kDa platelet receptor for type III collagen

A 1.2-kb cDNA fragment encoding a platelet 47-kDa protein has been isolated from a human bone marrow cDNA library by using a degenerate oligonucleotide of the sequenced amino terminus of the purified platelet protein with a poly(dT)(12).(dG) by polymerase chain reaction. A computer search revealed that the cDNA represents the coding sequence of a protein with a fragmentary homology to several proteins. Using a prokaryotic expression system, pBad TOPO-47 cDNA, a 47-kDa recombinant protein was obtained and purified to apparent homogeneity by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid resin and collagen affinity column. The recombinant protein binds to type III but not type I collagen-Sepharose 2B affinity columns. Anti-47-kDa but not anti-65-kDa antibody inhibits the binding of the recombinant protein to the type III collagen-coated micro titer wells in a dose-dependent manner. Like the receptor protein purified from platelet membranes, the recombinant protein inhibits type III collagen-induced platelet aggregation also in a dose-dependent manner. We have defined two active peptides from the cloned deduced amino acid sequence. Both peptides inhibit type III but not type I collagen-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent fashion. These results suggest that the active binding site of the platelet receptor to type III collagen resides in these portions of the protein.     

On the role of high-potential iron-sulfur proteins and cytochromes in the respiratory chain of two facultative phototrophs

The cDNA encoding of a phospholipase A(2) inhibitor (PLIalpha) of the Chinese mamushi, Agkistrodon blomhoffii siniticus, was identified from a liver cDNA library by use of a probe prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the basis of the amino acid sequence of PLIalpha. It encoded a polypeptide of 166 amino acid residues, including 19 residues of the signal sequence and 147 residues of the complete mature sequence of PLIalpha. The PLIalpha cDNA was subcloned into the expression vector pET-16b and used to transform Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3)pLysS. The recombinant PLIalpha expressed as a fusion protein was solubilized and purified to homogeneity by use of a metal affinity resin. The purified PLIalpha fusion protein underwent folding to form a trimeric structure like the intact PLIalpha, and showed inhibitory activity against the group II acidic PLA(2) from A. blomhoffii siniticus venom; although its binding constant (1/K(i)) value was 30-fold lower than that of the natural PLIalpha. The elimination of the N-terminal additional peptide from the fusion protein resulted in a marked increase in the inhibition activity with a binding constant comparable to that of the natural PLIalpha against the acidic PLA(2). Furthermore, the carbohydrate chains of the natural PLIalpha were found to play an important role in the inhibitory activity against the basic PLA(2).     

Structural and functional properties of Bp-LAAO,a new l-amino acid oxidase isolated from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom

An l-amino acid oxidase (Bp-LAAO) from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom was highly purified using sequential chromatography steps on CM-Sepharose, Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, Benzamidine Sepharose and C18 reverse-phase HPLC. Purified Bp-LAAO showed to be a homodimeric acidic glycoprotein with molecular weight around 65 kDa under reducing conditions in SDS-PAGE. The best substrates for Bp-LAAO were l-Met, l-Leu, l-Phe and l-Ile and the enzyme showed a strong reduction of its catalytic activity upon l-Met and l-Phe substrates at extreme temperatures. Bp-LAAO showed leishmanicidal, antitumoral and bactericidal activities dose dependently. Bp-LAAO induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma and this activity was inhibited by catalase. Bp-LAAO-cDNA of 1548 bp codified a mature protein with 516 amino acid residues corresponding to a theoretical isoelectric point and molecular weight of 6.3 and 58 kDa, respectively. Additionally, structural and phylogenetic studies identified residues under positive selection and their probable location in Bp-LAAO and other snake venom LAAOs (svLAAOs). Structural and functional investigations of these enzymes can contribute to the advancement of toxinology and to the elaboration of novel therapeutic agents.     

Primary structure and functional expression of h-caldesmon complementary DNA

Recently, the two Mr forms of caldesmon (Mr's in the range of 120-150kDa and 70-80kDa as judged by SDS-PAGE) have been identified. h-Caldesman (high Mr 120-150kDa caldesmon) is predominantly expressed in smooth muscles, and l-caldesmon (low Mr 70-80kDa caldesmon) in non-muscle cells. In this paper, we report the nucleotide sequence of chick embryo gizzard h-caldesmon cDNA and its translation into amino acid sequence. This sequence predicts a protein of 771 amino acids with a Mr of 88,743. The central portion of this sequence is composed of a 10-fold repeat of conserved amino acid sequence containing 13-15 amino acids. Further, a recombinant protein produced in Escherichia coli containing the full-length h-caldesmon cDNA has been characterized. Although the Mr of h-caldesmon predicted from amino acid sequence is 88,743, native and recombinant proteins show the same mol. wt. with 150kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. This discrepancy may be due to the acidic amino acid-rich sequences at the N-terminal and central portions. A recombinant protein produced in E. coli possesses calmodulin-, F-actin- and tropomyosin-binding abilities in common with the native h-caldesmon.     

Functional analysis of DM64, an antimyotoxic protein with immunoglobulin-like structure from Didelphis marsupialis serum.

Bothrops snake venoms are known to induce local tissue damage such as hemorrhage and myonecrosis. The opossum Didelphis marsupialis is resistant to these snake venoms and has natural venom inhibitors in its plasma. The aim of this work was to clone and study the chemical, physicochemical and biological properties of DM64, an antimyotoxic protein from opossum serum. DM64 is an acidic protein showing 15% glycosylation and with a molecular mass of 63 659 Da when analysed by MALDI-TOF MS. It was cloned and the amino acid sequence was found to be homologous to DM43, a metalloproteinase inhibitor from D. marsupialis serum, and to human alpha1B-glycoprotein, indicating the presence of five immunoglobulin-like domains. DM64 neutralized both the in vivo myotoxicity and the in vitro cytotoxicity of myotoxins I (mt-I/Asp49) and II (mt-II/Lys49) from Bothrops asper venom. The inhibitor formed noncovalent complexes with both toxins, but did not inhibit the PLA2 activity of mt-I. Accordingly, DM64 did not neutralize the anticoagulant effect of mt-I nor its intracerebroventricular lethality, effects that depend on its enzymatic activity, and which demonstrate the dissociation between the catalytic and toxic activities of this Asp49 myotoxic PLA2. Furthermore, despite its similarity with metalloproteinase inhibitors, DM64 presented no antihemorrhagic activity against Bothrops jararaca or Bothrops asper crude venoms, and did not inhibit the fibrinogenolytic activity of jararhagin or bothrolysin. This is the first report of a myotoxin inhibitor with an immunoglobulin-like structure isolated and characterized from animal blood.     

Molecular cloning and expression of a functional snake venom vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) from the Bothrops insularis pit viper. A new member of the VEGF family of proteins

During the generation of abundant expressed sequence tags from the Viperidae snake Bothrops insularis venom glands, we identified for the first time a cDNA coding for a putative vascular endothelial growth factor-like (VEGF-like) protein. The deduced primary sequence, after complete sequencing of the longest snake venom VEGF (svVEGF) cDNA, displayed similarity with vertebrate VEGFs and with the hypotensive factor from Vipera aspis venom. Its cDNA was subcloned, expressed in Escherichia coli with a His(6) tag as an insoluble monomer, and purified by Ni(2+)-affinity chromatography after 8 m urea extraction. Antiserum against svVEGF was generated and tested in Western blot against proteins from snake venoms and cellular extracts. The mature svVEGF appears to be ubiquitously distributed throughout snake venoms and was also confirmed by Northern blot studies of other related Viperidae species and by cDNA cloning of svVEGF from Bothrops jararaca pit viper. The produced recombinant protein dimerizes after refolding processes and was biologically characterized, showing ability to increase vascular permeability. These results established that svVEGF is a novel and important active toxin during the early stages of bothropic snake bite envenoming and represents a new member of the VEGF family of proteins.