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Spiders are the most successful and diversified group of venomous animals. Currently, there are more than 49,000 species distributed almost all over the world. This broad distribution suggests that they have efficient strategies to improve their survival; one of them is the production of highly elaborate venoms, which are a heterogeneous mixture of molecules like inorganic salts, peptides, proteins, and enzymes. Considering this, this study aimed to analyze the venom of the spider Avicularia juruensis (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) searching for proteolytic enzymes. Using zymography, electrophoresis, transcriptomics and proteomics approaches we identified one neprilysin able to degrade casein, that we named “Ajur_Neprilysin”. Neprilysins are metalloendopeptidases whose presence has already been described in animal venoms, however, its function has not yet been elucidated. Our results showed for the first time one non-bacterial neprilysin which can cleave casein and suggest that its role in envenomation is to degrade the extracellular matrix, facilitating the access of other toxins to their targets, as well as digestive fluids. Moreover, this discovery contributes to increasing the knowledge about little-studied species, since the Ajur_Neprilysin is the second neprilysin found in the venom from a mygalomorph spider.
Soraia Maria Do Nascimento; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Jr; Alexandre Keiji Tashima; Pedro Ismael Da Silva Junior. Presence of a neprilysin on Avicularia juruensis (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) venom. Toxin Reviews 2021, 1 -10.
AMA StyleSoraia Maria Do Nascimento, Ursula Castro De Oliveira, Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Jr, Alexandre Keiji Tashima, Pedro Ismael Da Silva Junior. Presence of a neprilysin on Avicularia juruensis (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) venom. Toxin Reviews. 2021; ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSoraia Maria Do Nascimento; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Jr; Alexandre Keiji Tashima; Pedro Ismael Da Silva Junior. 2021. "Presence of a neprilysin on Avicularia juruensis (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) venom." Toxin Reviews , no. : 1-10.
Haemocyanins (Hcs) are copper-containing, respiratory proteins that occur in the haemolymph of many arthropod species. Here, we report the presence of Hcs in the chilopode Myriapoda, demonstrating that these proteins are more widespread among the Arthropoda than previously thought. The analysis of transcriptome of S. subspinipes subpinipes reveals the presence of two distinct subunits of Hc, where the signal peptide is present, and six of prophenoloxidase (PPO), where the signal peptide is absent, in the 75 kDa range. Size exclusion chromatography profiles indicate different quaternary organization for Hc of both species, which was corroborated by TEM analysis: S. viridicornis Hc is a 6 × 6-mer and S. subspinipes Hc is a 3 × 6-mer, which resembles the half-structure of the 6 × 6-mer but also includes the presence of phenoloxidases, since the 1 × 6-mer quaternary organization is commonly associated with hexamers of PPO. Studies with Chelicerata showed that PPO activity are exclusively associated with the Hcs. This study indicates that Scolopendra may have different proteins playing oxygen transport (Hc) and PO function, both following the hexameric oligomerization observed in Hcs.
K. C. T. Riciluca; Antonio Carlos Borges; J. F. R. Mello; U. C. de Oliveira; Daniela Serdan; A. Florez-Ariza; E. Chaparro; M. Y. Nishiyama; A. Cassago; Inacio Junqueira-De-Azevedo; M. van Heel; P. I. Silva; R. V. Portugal. Myriapod haemocyanin: the first three-dimensional reconstruction of Scolopendra subspinipes and preliminary structural analysis of S. viridicornis. Open Biology 2020, 10, 190258 .
AMA StyleK. C. T. Riciluca, Antonio Carlos Borges, J. F. R. Mello, U. C. de Oliveira, Daniela Serdan, A. Florez-Ariza, E. Chaparro, M. Y. Nishiyama, A. Cassago, Inacio Junqueira-De-Azevedo, M. van Heel, P. I. Silva, R. V. Portugal. Myriapod haemocyanin: the first three-dimensional reconstruction of Scolopendra subspinipes and preliminary structural analysis of S. viridicornis. Open Biology. 2020; 10 (4):190258.
Chicago/Turabian StyleK. C. T. Riciluca; Antonio Carlos Borges; J. F. R. Mello; U. C. de Oliveira; Daniela Serdan; A. Florez-Ariza; E. Chaparro; M. Y. Nishiyama; A. Cassago; Inacio Junqueira-De-Azevedo; M. van Heel; P. I. Silva; R. V. Portugal. 2020. "Myriapod haemocyanin: the first three-dimensional reconstruction of Scolopendra subspinipes and preliminary structural analysis of S. viridicornis." Open Biology 10, no. 4: 190258.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small molecules, which have a potential use as antibiotic or pharmacological tools. In chelicerate organisms, such as scorpions, these molecules constitute an alternative defense system against microorganisms. The aim of this work was to identify AMPs in the hemolymph of the Tityus serrulatus scorpion. Fractions of plasma and hemocytes were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and then analyzed to determine their activity in inhibiting microbial growth. One of the fractions from the hemocytes presents antimicrobial activity against microorganisms, such as Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and yeast. These fractions were analyzed by mass spectrometry, and a fragment of 3564 Da. was identified. The peptide was called serrulin, because it is derived from the species T. serrulatus. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of serrulin with databases shows that it has a similarity to the glycine-rich peptides described in Cupienius salai and Acanthoscurria gomesiana (spiders). Furthermore, serrulin has no hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. While the presence of AMPs in T. serrulatus venom has been described in other works, this is the first work to characterize the presence of these molecules in the hemolymph (hemocytes) of this species and show its potential use as an alternative to conventional antibiotics against different species of microorganisms.
Thiago De Jesus Oliveira; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Pedro Ismael Da Silva Junior. Serrulin: A Glycine-Rich Bioactive Peptide from the Hemolymph of the Yellow Tityus serrulatus Scorpion. Toxins 2019, 11, 517 .
AMA StyleThiago De Jesus Oliveira, Ursula Castro De Oliveira, Pedro Ismael Da Silva Junior. Serrulin: A Glycine-Rich Bioactive Peptide from the Hemolymph of the Yellow Tityus serrulatus Scorpion. Toxins. 2019; 11 (9):517.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThiago De Jesus Oliveira; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Pedro Ismael Da Silva Junior. 2019. "Serrulin: A Glycine-Rich Bioactive Peptide from the Hemolymph of the Yellow Tityus serrulatus Scorpion." Toxins 11, no. 9: 517.
Ant species have specialized venom systems developed to sting and inoculate a biological cocktail of organic compounds, including peptide and polypeptide toxins, for the purpose of predation and defense. The genus Dinoponera comprises predatory giant ants that inoculate venom capable of causing long-lasting local pain, involuntary shaking, lymphadenopathy, and cardiac arrhythmias, among other symptoms. To deepen our knowledge about venom composition with regard to protein toxins and their roles in the chemical–ecological relationship and human health, we performed a bottom-up proteomics analysis of the crude venom of the giant ant D. quadriceps, popularly known as the “false” tocandiras. For this purpose, we used two different analytical approaches: (i) gel-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom was resolved by denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and all protein bands were excised for analysis; (ii) solution-based proteomics approach, wherein the crude venom protein components were directly fragmented into tryptic peptides in solution for analysis. The proteomic data that resulted from these two methodologies were compared against a previously annotated transcriptomic database of D. quadriceps, and subsequently, a homology search was performed for all identified transcript products. The gel-based proteomics approach unequivocally identified nine toxins of high molecular mass in the venom, as for example, enzymes [hyaluronidase, phospholipase A1, dipeptidyl peptidase and glucose dehydrogenase/flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) quinone] and diverse venom allergens (homologous of the red fire ant Selenopsis invicta) and venom-related proteins (major royal jelly-like). Moreover, the solution-based proteomics revealed and confirmed the presence of several hydrolases, oxidoreductases, proteases, Kunitz-like polypeptides, and the less abundant inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK)-like (knottin) neurotoxins and insect defensin. Our results showed that the major components of the D. quadriceps venom are toxins that are highly likely to damage cell membranes and tissue, to cause neurotoxicity, and to induce allergic reactions, thus, expanding the knowledge about D. quadriceps venom composition and its potential biological effects on prey and victims.
Douglas Oscar Ceolin Mariano; Úrsula Castro De Oliveira; André Junqueira Zaharenko; Daniel Carvalho Pimenta; Gandhi Rádis-Baptista; Álvaro Rossan De Brandão Prieto-Da-Silva. Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps. Toxins 2019, 11, 448 .
AMA StyleDouglas Oscar Ceolin Mariano, Úrsula Castro De Oliveira, André Junqueira Zaharenko, Daniel Carvalho Pimenta, Gandhi Rádis-Baptista, Álvaro Rossan De Brandão Prieto-Da-Silva. Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps. Toxins. 2019; 11 (8):448.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDouglas Oscar Ceolin Mariano; Úrsula Castro De Oliveira; André Junqueira Zaharenko; Daniel Carvalho Pimenta; Gandhi Rádis-Baptista; Álvaro Rossan De Brandão Prieto-Da-Silva. 2019. "Bottom-Up Proteomic Analysis of Polypeptide Venom Components of the Giant Ant Dinoponera Quadriceps." Toxins 11, no. 8: 448.
Coffea arabica L. is an important agricultural commodity, accounting for 60% of traded coffee worldwide. Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient that is usually limiting to plant yield; however, molecular mechanisms of plant acclimation to N limitation remain largely unknown in tropical woody crops. In this study, we investigated the transcriptome of coffee roots under N starvation, analyzing poly-A+ libraries and small RNAs. We also evaluated the concentration of selected amino acids and N-source preferences in roots. Ammonium was preferentially taken up over nitrate, and asparagine and glutamate were the most abundant amino acids observed in coffee roots. We obtained 34,654 assembled contigs by mRNA sequencing, and validated the transcriptional profile of 12 genes by RT-qPCR. Illumina small RNA sequencing yielded 8,524,332 non-redundant reads, resulting in the identification of 86 microRNA families targeting 253 genes. The transcriptional pattern of eight miRNA families was also validated. To our knowledge, this is the first catalog of differentially regulated amino acids, N sources, mRNAs, and sRNAs in Arabica coffee roots.
Tiago Benedito Dos Santos; João D. M. Soares; Joni E. Lima; Juliana C. Silva; Suzana T. Ivamoto; Viviane Y. Baba; Silvia Graciele Hulse de Souza; Alan P. R. Lorenzetti; Alexandre Rossi Paschoal; Anderson R. Meda; Milton Y. Nishiyama Júnior; Úrsula C. De Oliveira; João B. Mokochinski; Romain Guyot; Inacio Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Antônio V. O. Figueira; Paulo Mazzafera; Osvaldo R. Júnior; Luiz Gonzaga Esteves Vieira; Luiz Filipe Protasio Pereira; Douglas S. Domingues. An integrated analysis of mRNA and sRNA transcriptional profiles in Coffea arabica L. roots: insights on nitrogen starvation responses. Functional & Integrative Genomics 2018, 19, 151 -169.
AMA StyleTiago Benedito Dos Santos, João D. M. Soares, Joni E. Lima, Juliana C. Silva, Suzana T. Ivamoto, Viviane Y. Baba, Silvia Graciele Hulse de Souza, Alan P. R. Lorenzetti, Alexandre Rossi Paschoal, Anderson R. Meda, Milton Y. Nishiyama Júnior, Úrsula C. De Oliveira, João B. Mokochinski, Romain Guyot, Inacio Junqueira-De-Azevedo, Antônio V. O. Figueira, Paulo Mazzafera, Osvaldo R. Júnior, Luiz Gonzaga Esteves Vieira, Luiz Filipe Protasio Pereira, Douglas S. Domingues. An integrated analysis of mRNA and sRNA transcriptional profiles in Coffea arabica L. roots: insights on nitrogen starvation responses. Functional & Integrative Genomics. 2018; 19 (1):151-169.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTiago Benedito Dos Santos; João D. M. Soares; Joni E. Lima; Juliana C. Silva; Suzana T. Ivamoto; Viviane Y. Baba; Silvia Graciele Hulse de Souza; Alan P. R. Lorenzetti; Alexandre Rossi Paschoal; Anderson R. Meda; Milton Y. Nishiyama Júnior; Úrsula C. De Oliveira; João B. Mokochinski; Romain Guyot; Inacio Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Antônio V. O. Figueira; Paulo Mazzafera; Osvaldo R. Júnior; Luiz Gonzaga Esteves Vieira; Luiz Filipe Protasio Pereira; Douglas S. Domingues. 2018. "An integrated analysis of mRNA and sRNA transcriptional profiles in Coffea arabica L. roots: insights on nitrogen starvation responses." Functional & Integrative Genomics 19, no. 1: 151-169.
Phoneutria nigriventer is one of the largest existing true spiders and one of the few considered medically relevant. Its venom contains several neurotoxic peptides that act on different ion channels and chemical receptors of vertebrates and invertebrates. Some of these venom toxins have been shown as promising models for pharmaceutical or biotechnological use. However, the large diversity and the predominance of low molecular weight toxins in this venom have hampered the identification and deep investigation of the less abundant toxins and the proteins with high molecular weight. Here, we combined conventional and next-generation cDNA sequencing with Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT), to obtain an in-depth panorama of the composition of P. nigriventer spider venom. The results from these three approaches showed that cysteine-rich peptide toxins are the most abundant components in this venom and most of them contain the Inhibitor Cysteine Knot (ICK) structural motif. Ninety-eight sequences corresponding to cysteine-rich peptide toxins were identified by the three methodologies and many of them were considered as putative novel toxins, due to the low similarity to previously described toxins. Furthermore, using next-generation sequencing we identified families of several other classes of toxins, including CAPs (Cysteine Rich Secretory Protein-CRiSP, antigen 5 and Pathogenesis-Related 1-PR-1), serine proteinases, TCTPs (translationally controlled tumor proteins), proteinase inhibitors, metalloproteinases and hyaluronidases, which have been poorly described for this venom. This study provides an overview of the molecular diversity of P. nigriventer venom, revealing several novel components and providing a better basis to understand its toxicity and pharmacological activities.
Marcelo R. V. Diniz; Ana L. B. Paiva; Clara Guerra-Duarte; Milton Y. Nishiyama; Mauricio A. Mudadu; Ursula De Oliveira; Márcia H. Borges; John R. Yates; Inácio De L. Junqueira-De-Azevedo. An overview of Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom using combined transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. PLOS ONE 2018, 13, e0200628 .
AMA StyleMarcelo R. V. Diniz, Ana L. B. Paiva, Clara Guerra-Duarte, Milton Y. Nishiyama, Mauricio A. Mudadu, Ursula De Oliveira, Márcia H. Borges, John R. Yates, Inácio De L. Junqueira-De-Azevedo. An overview of Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom using combined transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. PLOS ONE. 2018; 13 (8):e0200628.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarcelo R. V. Diniz; Ana L. B. Paiva; Clara Guerra-Duarte; Milton Y. Nishiyama; Mauricio A. Mudadu; Ursula De Oliveira; Márcia H. Borges; John R. Yates; Inácio De L. Junqueira-De-Azevedo. 2018. "An overview of Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom using combined transcriptomic and proteomic approaches." PLOS ONE 13, no. 8: e0200628.
Hard ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites characterized by their long-term feeding. The saliva that they secrete during their blood meal is their crucial weapon against host-defense systems including hemostasis, inflammation and immunity. The anti-hemostatic, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory activities carried out by tick saliva molecules warrant their pharmacological investigation. The Hyalomma dromedarii Koch, 1844 tick is a common parasite of camels and probably the best adapted to deserts of all hard ticks. Like other hard ticks, the salivary glands of this tick may provide a rich source of many compounds whose biological activities interact directly with host system pathways. Female H. dromedarii ticks feed longer than males, thereby taking in more blood. To investigate the differences in feeding behavior as reflected in salivary compounds, we performed de novo assembly and annotation of H. dromedarii sialotranscriptome paying particular attention to variations in gender gene expression. The quality-filtered Illumina sequencing reads deriving from a cDNA library of salivary glands led to the assembly of 15,342 transcripts. We deduced that the secreted proteins included: metalloproteases, glycine-rich proteins, mucins, anticoagulants of the mandanin family and lipocalins, among others. Expression analysis revealed differences in the expression of transcripts between male and female H. dromedarii that might explain the blood-feeding strategies employed by both genders. The annotated sialome of H. dromedarii helps understand the interaction of tick-host molecules during blood-feeding and can lead to the discovery of new pharmacologically active proteins of ticks of the genus Hyalomma.
Chaima Bensaoud; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama Jr; Cherif Ben Hamda; Flavio Lichtenstein; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Fernanda Faria; Inácio Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Kais Ghedira; Ali Bouattour; Youmna M’Ghirbi; Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi. De novo assembly and annotation of Hyalomma dromedarii tick (Acari: Ixodidae) sialotranscriptome with regard to gender differences in gene expression. Parasites & Vectors 2018, 11, 1 -16.
AMA StyleChaima Bensaoud, Milton Yutaka Nishiyama Jr, Cherif Ben Hamda, Flavio Lichtenstein, Ursula Castro De Oliveira, Fernanda Faria, Inácio Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo, Kais Ghedira, Ali Bouattour, Youmna M’Ghirbi, Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi. De novo assembly and annotation of Hyalomma dromedarii tick (Acari: Ixodidae) sialotranscriptome with regard to gender differences in gene expression. Parasites & Vectors. 2018; 11 (1):1-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChaima Bensaoud; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama Jr; Cherif Ben Hamda; Flavio Lichtenstein; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Fernanda Faria; Inácio Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Kais Ghedira; Ali Bouattour; Youmna M’Ghirbi; Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi. 2018. "De novo assembly and annotation of Hyalomma dromedarii tick (Acari: Ixodidae) sialotranscriptome with regard to gender differences in gene expression." Parasites & Vectors 11, no. 1: 1-16.
The presence of minority transmitted drug resistance mutations was assessed using ultra-deep sequencing and correlated with disease progression among recently HIV-1-infected individuals from Brazil. Samples at baseline during recent infection and 1 year after the establishment of the infection were analysed. Viral RNA and proviral DNA from 25 individuals were subjected to ultra-deep sequencing of the reverse transcriptase and protease regions of HIV-1. Viral strains carrying transmitted drug resistance mutations were detected in 9 out of the 25 patients, for all major antiretroviral classes, ranging from one to five mutations per patient. Ultra-deep sequencing detected strains with frequencies as low as 1.6% and only strains with frequencies >20% were detected by population plasma sequencing (three patients). Transmitted drug resistance strains with frequencies <14.8% did not persist upon established infection. The presence of transmitted drug resistance mutations was negatively correlated with the viral load and with CD4+ T cell count decay. Transmitted drug resistance mutations representing small percentages of the viral population do not persist during infection because they are negatively selected in the first year after HIV-1 seroconversion.
Ana Leda; James Hunter; Ursula Castro Oliveira; Inacio Junqueira Azevedo; Maria Cecilia Araripe Sucupira; Ricardo Sobhie Diaz. Insights about minority HIV-1 strains in transmitted drug resistance mutation dynamics and disease progression. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2018, 73, 1930 -1934.
AMA StyleAna Leda, James Hunter, Ursula Castro Oliveira, Inacio Junqueira Azevedo, Maria Cecilia Araripe Sucupira, Ricardo Sobhie Diaz. Insights about minority HIV-1 strains in transmitted drug resistance mutation dynamics and disease progression. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2018; 73 (7):1930-1934.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Leda; James Hunter; Ursula Castro Oliveira; Inacio Junqueira Azevedo; Maria Cecilia Araripe Sucupira; Ricardo Sobhie Diaz. 2018. "Insights about minority HIV-1 strains in transmitted drug resistance mutation dynamics and disease progression." Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 73, no. 7: 1930-1934.
In Viperidae snakes, it has been attributed to the main venom gland, a component of the venom gland apparatus, the function of synthesizing all venom toxins and storing them inside a basal-central lumen. However, the role of the accessory gland is still unknown. Here, we analyzed the proteome and the transcriptome of the accessory gland during venom production and secretion cycle. We showed that the accessory gland expresses and synthesizes toxins that are similar to those produced by the main venom gland such as C-type lectin/C-type lectin-like proteins, metalloproteinase, phospholipase A2, cysteine rich secretory protein, nerve growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, serine proteinase, and l-amino acid oxidase. Our data have shown that toxin synthesis in the accessory gland is asynchronous when compared to the same process in the venom gland. Moreover, this gland also expresses inhibitors of venom phospholipases A2 and metalloproteinases. Transcriptome analysis showed that the transcripts that correspond to toxins in the accessory gland have a good correlation to the main venom gland transcripts. Therefore, it is proposed that the accessory gland is an ancillary source of toxins to the snake, and provides inhibitors that could control venom toxicity (and integrity) during storage. In this study, we propose that the accessory venom gland acts as an important ancillary source of toxins to the snake, in lieu of a depleted main venom gland, and provides inhibiting agents that control venom toxicity (and integrity) during its storage.
Richard Hemmi Valente; Milene Schmidt Luna; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Junior; Inácio De Loiola Junqueira-De-Azevedo; José Antonio Portes-Junior; Patricia Bianca Clissa; Luciana Godoy Viana; Leonardo Sanches; Ana Maria Moura-Da-Silva; Jonas Perales; Norma Yamanouye. Bothrops jararaca accessory venom gland is an ancillary source of toxins to the snake. Journal of Proteomics 2018, 177, 137 -147.
AMA StyleRichard Hemmi Valente, Milene Schmidt Luna, Ursula Castro de Oliveira, Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Junior, Inácio De Loiola Junqueira-De-Azevedo, José Antonio Portes-Junior, Patricia Bianca Clissa, Luciana Godoy Viana, Leonardo Sanches, Ana Maria Moura-Da-Silva, Jonas Perales, Norma Yamanouye. Bothrops jararaca accessory venom gland is an ancillary source of toxins to the snake. Journal of Proteomics. 2018; 177 ():137-147.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Hemmi Valente; Milene Schmidt Luna; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Junior; Inácio De Loiola Junqueira-De-Azevedo; José Antonio Portes-Junior; Patricia Bianca Clissa; Luciana Godoy Viana; Leonardo Sanches; Ana Maria Moura-Da-Silva; Jonas Perales; Norma Yamanouye. 2018. "Bothrops jararaca accessory venom gland is an ancillary source of toxins to the snake." Journal of Proteomics 177, no. : 137-147.
Except for the northern region, where the Amazonian black scorpion, T. obscurus, represents the predominant and most medically relevant scorpion species, Tityus serrulatus, the Brazilian yellow scorpion, is widely distributed throughout Brazil, causing most envenoming and fatalities due to scorpion sting. In order to evaluate and compare the diversity of venom components of Tityus obscurus and T. serrulatus, we performed a transcriptomic investigation of the telsons (venom glands) corroborated by a shotgun proteomic analysis of the venom from the two species. The putative venom components represented 11.4% and 16.7% of the total gene expression for T. obscurus and T. serrulatus, respectively. Transcriptome and proteome data revealed high abundance of metalloproteinases sequences followed by sodium and potassium channel toxins, making the toxin core of the venom. The phylogenetic analysis of metalloproteinases from T. obscurus and T. serrulatus suggested an intraspecific gene expansion, as we previously observed for T. bahiensis, indicating that this enzyme may be under evolutionary pressure for diversification. We also identified several putative venom components such as anionic peptides, antimicrobial peptides, bradykinin-potentiating peptide, cysteine rich protein, serine proteinases, cathepsins, angiotensin-converting enzyme, endothelin-converting enzyme and chymotrypsin like protein, proteinases inhibitors, phospholipases and hyaluronidases. The present work shows that the venom composition of these two allopatric species of Tityus are considerably similar in terms of the major classes of proteins produced and secreted, although their individual toxin sequences are considerably divergent. These differences at amino acid level may reflect in different epitopes for the same protein classes in each species, explaining the basis for the poor recognition of T. obscurus venom by the antiserum raised against other species.
Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama; Maria Beatriz Viana Dos Santos; Andria De Paula Santos-Da-Silva; Hipocrates De Menezes Chalkidis; Andréia Souza-Imberg; Denise Maria Candido; Norma Yamanouye; Valquíria Abrão Coronado Dorce; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo. Proteomic endorsed transcriptomic profiles of venom glands from Tityus obscurus and T. serrulatus scorpions. PLOS ONE 2018, 13, e0193739 .
AMA StyleUrsula Castro De Oliveira, Milton Yutaka Nishiyama, Maria Beatriz Viana Dos Santos, Andria De Paula Santos-Da-Silva, Hipocrates De Menezes Chalkidis, Andréia Souza-Imberg, Denise Maria Candido, Norma Yamanouye, Valquíria Abrão Coronado Dorce, Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo. Proteomic endorsed transcriptomic profiles of venom glands from Tityus obscurus and T. serrulatus scorpions. PLOS ONE. 2018; 13 (3):e0193739.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUrsula Castro De Oliveira; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama; Maria Beatriz Viana Dos Santos; Andria De Paula Santos-Da-Silva; Hipocrates De Menezes Chalkidis; Andréia Souza-Imberg; Denise Maria Candido; Norma Yamanouye; Valquíria Abrão Coronado Dorce; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo. 2018. "Proteomic endorsed transcriptomic profiles of venom glands from Tityus obscurus and T. serrulatus scorpions." PLOS ONE 13, no. 3: e0193739.
Biological fluids of the Acanthoscurria gomesiana spider are sources of active molecules, as is the case of antimicrobial peptides and acylpolyamines found in the hemolymphs. The venom is also a potential source of toxins with pharmacological and biotechnological applications. However, to our knowledge no A. gomesiana venom toxin structure has been determined to date. Using a combination of high resolution mass spectrometry, transcriptomics and bioinformatics, we employed a workflow to fully sequence, determine the number of disulfide bonds of mature peptides and we found new potential antimicrobial peptides. This workflow is suitable for complete peptide toxin sequencing when handling limited amount of venom samples and can accelerate the discovery of peptides with potential biotechnological applications.
Thiago Ferreira de Abreu; Bianca N. Sumitomo; Milton Y. Nishiyama; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Gustavo H. M. F. Souza; Eduardo Shigueo Kitano; André Zelanis; Solange M T Serrano; Inácio Junqueira‐De‐Azevedo; Pedro I. Silva; Alexandre K. Tashima. Peptidomics of Acanthoscurria gomesiana spider venom reveals new toxins with potential antimicrobial activity. Journal of Proteomics 2017, 151, 232 -242.
AMA StyleThiago Ferreira de Abreu, Bianca N. Sumitomo, Milton Y. Nishiyama, Ursula Castro de Oliveira, Gustavo H. M. F. Souza, Eduardo Shigueo Kitano, André Zelanis, Solange M T Serrano, Inácio Junqueira‐De‐Azevedo, Pedro I. Silva, Alexandre K. Tashima. Peptidomics of Acanthoscurria gomesiana spider venom reveals new toxins with potential antimicrobial activity. Journal of Proteomics. 2017; 151 ():232-242.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThiago Ferreira de Abreu; Bianca N. Sumitomo; Milton Y. Nishiyama; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Gustavo H. M. F. Souza; Eduardo Shigueo Kitano; André Zelanis; Solange M T Serrano; Inácio Junqueira‐De‐Azevedo; Pedro I. Silva; Alexandre K. Tashima. 2017. "Peptidomics of Acanthoscurria gomesiana spider venom reveals new toxins with potential antimicrobial activity." Journal of Proteomics 151, no. : 232-242.
The number of cases of envenomation by scorpions has grown significantly in Brazil since 2007, with the most severe cases being caused by the Tityus serrulatus scorpion. Although envenomed patients mostly suffer neurotoxic manifestations, other symptoms, such as hypertension, cannot be exclusively attributed to neurotoxins. Omics analyses have detected plentiful amounts of metalloproteases in T. serrulatus venom. However, the roles played by these enzymes in envenomation are still unclear. Endeavoring to investigate the functions of scorpion venom proteases, we describe here for the first time an Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme-like peptidase (ACE-like) purified from T. serrulatus venom. The crude venom cleaved natural and fluorescent substrates and these activities were inhibited by captopril. Regarding the serum neutralization, the scorpion antivenom was more effective at blocking the ACE-like activity than arachnid antivenom, although neither completely inhibited the venom cleavage action, even at higher doses. ACE-like was purified from the venom after three chromatographic steps and its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometric and transcriptomic analyses. Bioinformatics analysis showed homology between the ACE-like transcript sequences from Tityus spp. and human testis ACE. These findings advance our understanding of T. serrulatus venom components and may improve treatment of envenomation victims, as ACE-like may contribute to envenomation symptoms, especially the resulting hypertension.
Daniela Cajado-Carvalho; Alexandre Kazuo Kuniyoshi; Bruno Duzzi; Leo Kei Iwai; Úrsula Castro De Oliveira; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira De Azevedo; Roberto Tadashi Kodama; Fernanda Vieira Portaro. Insights into the Hypertensive Effects of Tityus serrulatus Scorpion Venom: Purification of an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-Like Peptidase. Toxins 2016, 8, 348 .
AMA StyleDaniela Cajado-Carvalho, Alexandre Kazuo Kuniyoshi, Bruno Duzzi, Leo Kei Iwai, Úrsula Castro De Oliveira, Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira De Azevedo, Roberto Tadashi Kodama, Fernanda Vieira Portaro. Insights into the Hypertensive Effects of Tityus serrulatus Scorpion Venom: Purification of an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-Like Peptidase. Toxins. 2016; 8 (12):348.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniela Cajado-Carvalho; Alexandre Kazuo Kuniyoshi; Bruno Duzzi; Leo Kei Iwai; Úrsula Castro De Oliveira; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira De Azevedo; Roberto Tadashi Kodama; Fernanda Vieira Portaro. 2016. "Insights into the Hypertensive Effects of Tityus serrulatus Scorpion Venom: Purification of an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-Like Peptidase." Toxins 8, no. 12: 348.
The complete mitochondrial genome, containing 17,526 bp, was determined from the pitviper Bothrops jararaca. It is the first mitogenome for the most medically important genus of snake in Latin America. This mitogenome has common snake mitochondrial features such as a duplicated control region that has nearly identical sequences at two different locations of the mitogenome and a translocation of tRNA-Leu (UUR). Besides, we found a translocation of the tRNA-Pro compared to Colubridae snakes. Finally, an unusual possible duplication containing a tRNA-Phe was observed for the first time and may represent a marker of the genus.
Diego Dantas Almeida; João Paulo Kitajima; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama; George Willian Condomitti; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Joao Setubal; Inácio L. M. Junqueira-De-Azevedo. The complete mitochondrial genome of Bothrops jararaca (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B 2016, 1, 907 -908.
AMA StyleDiego Dantas Almeida, João Paulo Kitajima, Milton Yutaka Nishiyama, George Willian Condomitti, Ursula Castro de Oliveira, Joao Setubal, Inácio L. M. Junqueira-De-Azevedo. The complete mitochondrial genome of Bothrops jararaca (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 2016; 1 (1):907-908.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDiego Dantas Almeida; João Paulo Kitajima; Milton Yutaka Nishiyama; George Willian Condomitti; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Joao Setubal; Inácio L. M. Junqueira-De-Azevedo. 2016. "The complete mitochondrial genome of Bothrops jararaca (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae)." Mitochondrial DNA Part B 1, no. 1: 907-908.
Highlights•Haementeria vizottoi transcriptome revealed putative molecular components involved in hemostasis.•Detection of 123 molecules probably involved in animal feeding.•Identification of new putative coagulation inhibitors as antistasin-like and antiplatelet-like proteins.•Structurally, the Arg34Gly substitution may change the H. vizottoi antistasin-like function. AbstractThroughout evolution, parasites have adapted in order to successfully intervene in the host defense, producing specific peptides and proteins. Interestingly, these peptides and proteins have been exploited as potential drug candidates against several diseases. Furthermore, biotechnology studies and cDNA libraries have remarkably contributed to identify potentially bioactive molecules. In this regard, herein, a cDNA library of salivary complexes from Haementeria vizottoi leeches was constructed, the transcriptome was characterized and a phylogenetic analysis was performed considering antistasin-like and antiplatelet-like proteins. Hundred twenty three transcripts were identified coding for putative proteins involved in animal feeding (representing about 10% of the expression level). These sequences showed similarities with myohemerythrins, carbonic anhydrases, anticoagulants, antimicrobials, proteases and protease inhibitors. The phylogenetic analysis, regarding antistasin-like and antiplatetlet-like proteins, revealed two main clades in the Rhynchobdellida leeches. As expected, the sequences from H. vizottoi have presented high similarities with those types of proteins. Thus, our findings could be helpful not only to identify new coagulation inhibitors, but also to better understand the biological composition of the salivary complexes.
Adriane Michele Xavier Prado Amorim; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Fernanda Faria; Kerly Fernanda Mesquita Pasqualoto; Inácio De L.M. Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi. Transcripts involved in hemostasis: Exploring salivary complexes from Haementeria vizottoi leeches through transcriptomics, phylogenetic studies and structural features. Toxicon 2015, 106, 20 -29.
AMA StyleAdriane Michele Xavier Prado Amorim, Ursula Castro De Oliveira, Fernanda Faria, Kerly Fernanda Mesquita Pasqualoto, Inácio De L.M. Junqueira-De-Azevedo, Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi. Transcripts involved in hemostasis: Exploring salivary complexes from Haementeria vizottoi leeches through transcriptomics, phylogenetic studies and structural features. Toxicon. 2015; 106 ():20-29.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdriane Michele Xavier Prado Amorim; Ursula Castro De Oliveira; Fernanda Faria; Kerly Fernanda Mesquita Pasqualoto; Inácio De L.M. Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi. 2015. "Transcripts involved in hemostasis: Exploring salivary complexes from Haementeria vizottoi leeches through transcriptomics, phylogenetic studies and structural features." Toxicon 106, no. : 20-29.
Scorpion venom is a mixture of peptides, including antimicrobial, bradykinin-potentiating and anionic peptides and small to medium proteins, such as ion channel toxins, metalloproteinases and phospholipases that together cause severe clinical manifestation. Tityus bahiensis is the second most medically important scorpion species in Brazil and it is widely distributed in the country with the exception of the North Region. Here we sequenced and analyzed the transcripts from the venom glands of T. bahiensis, aiming at identifying and annotating venom gland expressed genes. A total of 116,027 long reads were generated by pyrosequencing and assembled in 2891 isotigs. An annotation process identified transcripts by similarity to known toxins, revealing that putative venom components represent 7.4% of gene expression. The major toxins identified are potassium and sodium channel toxins, whereas metalloproteinases showed an unexpected high abundance. Phylogenetic analysis of deduced metalloproteinases from T. bahiensis and other scorpions revealed a pattern of ancient and intraspecific gene expansions. Other venom molecules identified include antimicrobial, anionic and bradykinin-potentiating peptides, besides several putative new venom components. This report provides the first attempt to massively identify the venom components of this species and constitutes one of the few transcriptomic efforts on the genus Tityus.
Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Denise Maria Candido; Valquiria Dorce; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo. The transcriptome recipe for the venom cocktail of Tityus bahiensis scorpion. Toxicon 2015, 95, 52 -61.
AMA StyleUrsula Castro de Oliveira, Denise Maria Candido, Valquiria Dorce, Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo. The transcriptome recipe for the venom cocktail of Tityus bahiensis scorpion. Toxicon. 2015; 95 ():52-61.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUrsula Castro de Oliveira; Denise Maria Candido; Valquiria Dorce; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo. 2015. "The transcriptome recipe for the venom cocktail of Tityus bahiensis scorpion." Toxicon 95, no. : 52-61.
Despite the reduction in incidence after vaccination, pertussis disease is still considered a public health problem worldwide, mainly due to recent and potential new outbreaks. We report here the complete genome of the Bordetella pertussis Butantan strain used in the Brazilian National Immunization Program as a whole-cell pertussis antigen to compose vaccines such as DTwP (diphtheria, tetanus, and whole-cell pertussis).
M. A. Akamatsu; M. Y. Nishiyama; M. Morone; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; M. F. B. Bezerra; M. A. Sakauchi; I. Raw; I. L. M. Junqueira de Azevedo; J. P. Kitajima; E. Carvalho; P. L. Ho. Whole-Genome Sequence of a Bordetella pertussis Brazilian Vaccine Strain. Genome Announcements 2015, 3, e01570-14 .
AMA StyleM. A. Akamatsu, M. Y. Nishiyama, M. Morone, Ursula Castro de Oliveira, M. F. B. Bezerra, M. A. Sakauchi, I. Raw, I. L. M. Junqueira de Azevedo, J. P. Kitajima, E. Carvalho, P. L. Ho. Whole-Genome Sequence of a Bordetella pertussis Brazilian Vaccine Strain. Genome Announcements. 2015; 3 (1):e01570-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. A. Akamatsu; M. Y. Nishiyama; M. Morone; Ursula Castro de Oliveira; M. F. B. Bezerra; M. A. Sakauchi; I. Raw; I. L. M. Junqueira de Azevedo; J. P. Kitajima; E. Carvalho; P. L. Ho. 2015. "Whole-Genome Sequence of a Bordetella pertussis Brazilian Vaccine Strain." Genome Announcements 3, no. 1: e01570-14.
Taisy Renata Mazur; Enéas Carvalho; Dalton Nogueira Silva Giovanni; Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Ursula Castro Oliveira; Ronaldo Zucatelli Mendonça. Partial results of the construction of cDNA library of Megalopyge albicolis. BMC Proceedings 2014, 8, P154 -P154.
AMA StyleTaisy Renata Mazur, Enéas Carvalho, Dalton Nogueira Silva Giovanni, Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti, Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo, Ursula Castro Oliveira, Ronaldo Zucatelli Mendonça. Partial results of the construction of cDNA library of Megalopyge albicolis. BMC Proceedings. 2014; 8 (S4):P154-P154.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTaisy Renata Mazur; Enéas Carvalho; Dalton Nogueira Silva Giovanni; Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti; Inácio De Loiola Meirelles Junqueira-De-Azevedo; Ursula Castro Oliveira; Ronaldo Zucatelli Mendonça. 2014. "Partial results of the construction of cDNA library of Megalopyge albicolis." BMC Proceedings 8, no. S4: P154-P154.
Coccidiosis are the major parasitic diseases in poultry and other domestic animals including the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Eleven distinct Eimeria species have been identified in this host, but no PCR-based method has been developed so far for unequivocal species differentiation. In this work, we describe the development of molecular diagnostic assays that allow for the detection and discrimination of the 11 Eimeria species that infect rabbits. We determined the nucleotide sequences of the ITS1 ribosomal DNAs and designed species-specific primers for each species. We performed specificity tests of the assays using heterologous sets of primers and DNA samples, and no cross-specific bands were observed. We obtained a detection limit varying from 500 fg to 1 pg, which corresponds approximately to 0.8-1.7 sporulated oocysts, respectively. The test reported here showed good reproducibility and presented a consistent sensitivity with three different brands of amplification enzymes. These novel diagnostic assays will permit population surveys to be performed with high sensitivity and specificity, thus contributing to a better understanding of the epidemiology of this important group of coccidian parasites. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.CNPq[143125/2006-0]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq
Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Jane S. Fraga; Dominique Licois; Michal Pakandl; Arthur Gruber. Development of molecular assays for the identification of the 11 Eimeria species of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Veterinary Parasitology 2011, 176, 275 -280.
AMA StyleUrsula Castro de Oliveira, Jane S. Fraga, Dominique Licois, Michal Pakandl, Arthur Gruber. Development of molecular assays for the identification of the 11 Eimeria species of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Veterinary Parasitology. 2011; 176 (2-3):275-280.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUrsula Castro de Oliveira; Jane S. Fraga; Dominique Licois; Michal Pakandl; Arthur Gruber. 2011. "Development of molecular assays for the identification of the 11 Eimeria species of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)." Veterinary Parasitology 176, no. 2-3: 275-280.
During the cloning of abundant cDNAs expressed in the Micrurus corallinus coral snake venom gland, several putative toxins, including a phospholipase A2 homologue cDNA (clone V2), were identified. The V2 cDNA clone codes for a potential coral snake toxin with a signal peptide of 27 amino acid residues plus a predicted mature protein with 119 amino acid residues. The deduced protein is highly similar to known phospholipases A2, with seven deduced S–S bridges at the same conserved positions. This protein was expressed in Escherichia coli as a His-tagged protein that allowed the rapid purification of the recombinant protein. This protein was used to generate antibodies, which recognized the recombinant protein in Western blot. This antiserum was used to screen a large number of venoms, showing a ubiquitous distribution of immunorelated proteins in all elapidic venoms but not in the viperidic Bothrops jararaca venom. This is the first description of a complete primary structure of a phospholipase A2 homologue deduced by cDNA cloning from a coral snake.
Ursula Castro de Oliveira; Alessandra Assui; Álvaro Rossan De Brandão Prieto Da Silva; Jane Silveira de Oliveira; Paulo Lee Ho. Cloning and characterization of a basic phospholipase A2 homologue from Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) venom gland. Toxicon 2003, 42, 249 -255.
AMA StyleUrsula Castro de Oliveira, Alessandra Assui, Álvaro Rossan De Brandão Prieto Da Silva, Jane Silveira de Oliveira, Paulo Lee Ho. Cloning and characterization of a basic phospholipase A2 homologue from Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) venom gland. Toxicon. 2003; 42 (3):249-255.
Chicago/Turabian StyleUrsula Castro de Oliveira; Alessandra Assui; Álvaro Rossan De Brandão Prieto Da Silva; Jane Silveira de Oliveira; Paulo Lee Ho. 2003. "Cloning and characterization of a basic phospholipase A2 homologue from Micrurus corallinus (coral snake) venom gland." Toxicon 42, no. 3: 249-255.