Venomics analyses of the skin secretion of Dermatonotus muelleri: Preliminary proteomic and metabolomic profiling.

Dermatonotus muelleri is the sole species of the Dermatonotus genus and inhabits Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. This animal exhibits an explosive reproductive behavior during the Southern spring months, which lasts only for five days. Moreover, this animal displays specific adaptations to the habitat resulting in the energy conservation needed during either the intense reproduction period or times of estivation. During dry seasons and/or food shortages D. muelleri can survive because its food specialization and ability to dig an underground chamber for protection. Few literature is available on this amphibian and no biochemical characterization has ever been performed on the animal's skin secretion. This work, on the other hand, presents for the first time a venomic analysis of the major components present in the skin secretion of this microhylid. The crude skin secretion was obtained my mechanical stimulation and was analyzed according to one major criterion: >10 kDa or <10 kDa. The high molecular mass fraction was subjected to typical gel-based proteomic processing whereas the low molecular mass fraction was analyzed by liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), yielding an overall 'venomics' approach. No classical/evident toxin was detected, but peptidases (metallo and serino) and structural proteins could be identified. In the low molecular mass fraction no peptides were detected, as well as no typical alkaloid or steroid. On the other hand, the amino acid tryptophan could be identified and a typical sugar spectrum was obtained in the NMR analyses. Altogether these findings point out to the fact that D. muelleri skin secretion is unique and the molecular arsenal present herein is yet to be explored; therefore, this venomics study is only the beginning.

Venomics analyses of the skin secretion of dermatonotus muelleri: preliminary proteomic and metabolomic profiling

Dermatonotus muelleri is the sole species of the Dermatonotus genus and inhabits Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. This animal exhibits an explosive reproductive behavior during the Southern spring months, which lasts only for five days. Moreover, this animal displays specific adaptations to the habitat resulting in the energy conservation needed during either the intense reproduction period or times of estivation. During dry seasons and/or food shortages D. muelleri can survive because its food specialization and ability to dig an underground chamber for protection. Few literature is available on this amphibian and no biochemical characterization has ever been performed on the animal's skin secretion. This work, on the other hand, presents for the first time a venomic analysis of the major components present in the skin secretion of this microhylid. The crude skin secretion was obtained my mechanical stimulation and was analyzed according to one major criterion: >10 kDa or <10 kDa. The high molecular mass fraction was subjected to typical gel-based proteomic processing whereas the low molecular mass fraction was analyzed by liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), yielding an overall 'venomics' approach. No classical evident toxin was detected, but peptidases (metallo and serino) and structural proteins could be identified. In the low molecular mass fraction no peptides were detected, as well as no typical alkaloid or steroid. On the other hand, the amino acid tryptophan could be identified and a typical sugar spectrum was obtained in the NMR analyses. Altogether these findings point out to the fact that D. muelleri skin secretion is unique and the molecular arsenal present herein is yet to be explored; therefore, this venomics study is only the beginning.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of bradykinin-potentiating peptides from bitis gabonica rhinoceros

Background: Venoms represent a still underexplored reservoir of bioactive components that might mitigate or cure diseases in conditions in which conventional therapy is ineffective. The bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs) comprise a class of angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The BPPs usually consist of oligopeptides with 5 to 13 residues with a high number of proline residues and the tripeptide Ile-Pro-Pro (IPP-tripeptide) in the C-terminus region and have a conserved N-terminal pyroglutamate residue. As a whole, the action of the BPPs on prey and snakebite victims results in the decrease of the blood pressure. The aim of this work was to isolate and characterize novel BPPs from the venom of Bitis gabonica rhinoceros. Methods: The crude venom of B.g. rhinoceros was fractionated by size exclusion chromatography and the peptide fraction (<7 kDa) was separated by reverse phase chromatography (RP-HPLC) and analyzed by ESI-IT-TOF-MS/MS. One new BPP was identified, synthetized and assayed for ACE inhibition and, in vivo, for edema potentiation. Results: Typical BPP signatures were identified in three RP-HPLC fractions. CID fragmentation presented the usual y-ion of the terminal P-P fragment as a predominant signal at m/z 213.1. De novo peptide sequencing identified one Bothrops-like BPP and one new BPP sequence. The new BPP was synthesized and showed poor inhibition over ACE, but displayed significant bradykinin-induced edema potentiation. Conclusions: So far, few BPPs are described in Viperinae, and based on the sequenced peptides, two non-canonical sequences were detected. The possible clinical role of this new peptides remains unclear.

Análise bioquímica e biológica da secreção cutânea do anuro Dermatonotus muelleri / Biochemistry and biological analysis of skin secretion of anura Dermatonotus muelleri

Poisons and secretions animals are among the most complex and rich sources of biological materials, ie new molecules with potential biotechnological applications or pharmaceutical. Accordingly, molecules isolated from amphibian skin secretions may be used as alternatives for the development of new biotechnology tool, such as those target to combat resistant pathogens or develop new industrial products. This project aimed to identify and characterize molecules in the skin secretion of Dermatonotus muelleri (only specie in the genus of the family Microhylidae), through the isolation and biochemical characterization. The secretions were filtered through 10 kDa cut-off membranes and the retained fraction was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, followed by a proteomic approach. A zymographic assay was also performed. The low molecular mass filtrate was fractionated by HPLC and analyzed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Gel electrophoresis showed protein content of various molecular masses. Proteomics analysis found relevant matches for proteins distributed in the electrophoresis gel, including proteolytic enzymes. On the other hand, the < 10kDa fraction showed to contain sugars, according to the interpretation of the NMR data. The ESI-IT-TOF analyses revealed low molecular mass molecules (<800 Da) throughout the chromatographic separation, and tryptophan could be identified among the molecules. The filtered fractions were assayed for antibiotic activity but no inhibition of bacterial growth could be observed. Interestingly, one fraction exhibited a significant increase in the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The proteomic analysis was pertinent, demonstrating the presence of several proteins related to the animal's biology and defense mechanism. From the chemical point of view, one amino acid was detected and induced bacterial growth, which could be related to alternative mechanisms to the absence of low molecular mass antibiotic compounds.

Venenos e secreções animais estão entre as mais ricas e complexas fontes de materiais biológicos, ou seja, novas moléculas com potencial aplicação biotecnológica ou mesmo farmacêuticas. Nesse sentido, moléculas isoladas da secreção da pele de anfíbios podem ser utilizadas como alternativas biotecnológicas destinadas aos novos medicamentos, como por exemplo, o combate de patógenos resistentes ou no desenvolvimento de novos produtos de utilidade industrial. Assim, esse projeto teve como objetivo identificar e caracterizar moléculas presentes na secreção cutânea de Dermatonotus muelleri (única espécie no gênero da família Microhylidae), por meio do isolamento e caracterização bioquímica. As secreções foram filtradas em membranas de corte de 10 kDa e o material retido foi analisado por SDS-PAGE e em seguida por uma abordagem proteômica. Também foi realizado um ensaio de zimografia. O filtrado de baixa massa foi fracionado por HPLC e analisado por espectrometria de massas e ressonância magnética nuclear. A eletroforese em gel apresentou conteúdo proteico de diversas massas moleculares. A análise proteômica encontrou correspondências relevantes para as proteínas distribuídas no gel de eletroforese, inclusive enzimas proteolíticas. Já os compostos filtrados na membrana de corte de 10kDa, demonstraram conter açúcares de acordo com a interpretação dos dados de RMN. Na análise por ESI-ITToF verificou-se moléculas de baixa massa molecular (<800 Da) ao longo de toda a amostra, sendo identificado o aminoácido triptofano entre elas. As frações filtradas foram ensaiadas para a atividade de antibiótica mas não foi observada inibição do crescimento bacteriano para estas frações, entretanto uma fração apresentou um significativo aumento do crescimento para Staphylococcus aureus. A análise proteômica foi pertinente, tendo demonstrando a presença de diversas proteínas relacionadas a biologia do animal e seu mecanismo de defesas. Do ponto de vista químico detectou-se um aminoácido que apresentou atividade de indução ao crescimento bacteriano, que pode estar relacionada a mecanismos alternativos à ausência atividade antimicrobiana nos compostos de baixa massa molecular.