scholarly journals Dynamic genetic differentiation drives the widespread structural and functional convergent evolution of snake venom proteinaceous toxins

BMC Biology ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Xie ◽  
Daniel Dashevsky ◽  
Darin Rokyta ◽  
Parviz Ghezellou ◽  
Behzad Fathinia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Snake Venoms ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Full Diversity ◽  
Peptide Gene

Abstract Background The explosive radiation and diversification of the advanced snakes (superfamily Colubroidea) was associated with changes in all aspects of the shared venom system. Morphological changes included the partitioning of the mixed ancestral glands into two discrete glands devoted for production of venom or mucous respectively, as well as changes in the location, size and structural elements of the venom-delivering teeth. Evidence also exists for homology among venom gland toxins expressed across the advanced snakes. However, despite the evolutionary novelty of snake venoms, in-depth toxin molecular evolutionary history reconstructions have been mostly limited to those types present in only two front-fanged snake families, Elapidae and Viperidae. To have a broader understanding of toxins shared among extant snakes, here we first sequenced the transcriptomes of eight taxonomically diverse rear-fanged species and four key viperid species and analysed major toxin types shared across the advanced snakes. Results Transcriptomes were constructed for the following families and species: Colubridae - Helicops leopardinus, Heterodon nasicus, Rhabdophis subminiatus; Homalopsidae – Homalopsis buccata; Lamprophiidae - Malpolon monspessulanus, Psammophis schokari, Psammophis subtaeniatus, Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus; and Viperidae – Bitis atropos, Pseudocerastes urarachnoides, Tropidolaeumus subannulatus, Vipera transcaucasiana. These sequences were combined with those from available databases of other species in order to facilitate a robust reconstruction of the molecular evolutionary history of the key toxin classes present in the venom of the last common ancestor of the advanced snakes, and thus present across the full diversity of colubroid snake venoms. In addition to differential rates of evolution in toxin classes between the snake lineages, these analyses revealed multiple instances of previously unknown instances of structural and functional convergences. Structural convergences included: the evolution of new cysteines to form heteromeric complexes, such as within kunitz peptides (the beta-bungarotoxin trait evolving on at least two occasions) and within SVMP enzymes (the P-IIId trait evolving on at least three occasions); and the C-terminal tail evolving on two separate occasions within the C-type natriuretic peptides, to create structural and functional analogues of the ANP/BNP tailed condition. Also shown was that the de novo evolution of new post-translationally liberated toxin families within the natriuretic peptide gene propeptide region occurred on at least five occasions, with novel functions ranging from induction of hypotension to post-synaptic neurotoxicity. Functional convergences included the following: multiple occasions of SVMP neofunctionalised in procoagulant venoms into activators of the clotting factors prothrombin and Factor X; multiple instances in procoagulant venoms where kunitz peptides were neofunctionalised into inhibitors of the clot destroying enzyme plasmin, thereby prolonging the half-life of the clots formed by the clotting activating enzymatic toxins; and multiple occasions of kunitz peptides neofunctionalised into neurotoxins acting on presynaptic targets, including twice just within Bungarus venoms. Conclusions We found novel convergences in both structural and functional evolution of snake toxins. These results provide a detailed roadmap for future work to elucidate predator–prey evolutionary arms races, ascertain differential clinical pathologies, as well as documenting rich biodiscovery resources for lead compounds in the drug design and discovery pipeline.

scholarly journals Venom-gland transcriptomic, venomic, and antivenomic profiles of the spine-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Yan Zhao ◽  
Lin Wen ◽  
Yu-Feng Miao ◽  
Yu Du ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
South China ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
The South China Sea ◽  
Protein Families ◽  
The South ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
China Sea

Abstract Background A comprehensive evaluation of the -omic profiles of venom is important for understanding the potential function and evolution of snake venom. Here, we conducted an integrated multi-omics-analysis to unveil the venom-transcriptomic and venomic profiles in a same group of spine-bellied sea snakes (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea, where the snake is a widespread species and might generate regionally-specific venom potentially harmful to human activities. The capacity of two heterologous antivenoms to immunocapture the H. curtus venom was determined for an in-depth evaluation of their rationality in treatment of H. curtus envenomation. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood was used to detect the adaptive molecular evolution of full-length toxin-coding unigenes. Results A total of 90,909,384 pairs of clean reads were generated via Illumina sequencing from a pooled cDNA library of six specimens, and yielding 148,121 unigenes through de novo assembly. Sequence similarity searching harvested 63,845 valid annotations, including 63,789 non-toxin-coding and 56 toxin-coding unigenes belonging to 22 protein families. Three protein families, three-finger toxins (3-FTx), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and cysteine-rich secretory protein, were detected in the venom proteome. 3-FTx (27.15% in the transcriptome/41.94% in the proteome) and PLA2 (59.71%/49.36%) were identified as the most abundant families in the venom-gland transcriptome and venom proteome. In addition, 24 unigenes from 11 protein families were shown to have experienced positive selection in their evolutionary history, whereas four were relatively conserved throughout evolution. Commercial Naja atra antivenom exhibited a stronger capacity than Bungarus multicinctus antivenom to immunocapture H. curtus venom components, especially short neurotoxins, with the capacity of both antivenoms to immunocapture short neurotoxins being weaker than that for PLA2s. Conclusions Our study clarified the venom-gland transcriptomic and venomic profiles along with the within-group divergence of a H. curtus population from the South China Sea. Adaptive evolution of most venom components driven by natural selection appeared to occur rapidly during evolutionary history. Notably, the utility of commercial N. atra and B. multicinctus antivenoms against H. curtus toxins was not comprehensive; thus, the development of species-specific antivenom is urgently needed.

scholarly journals Evolution of a chordate-specific mechanism for myoblast fusion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haifeng Zhang ◽  
Renjie Shang ◽  
Kwantae Kim ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Christopher J. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Myoblast Fusion ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Functional Tests ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
New Genes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Early Vertebrates ◽  
And Function

The size of an animal is determined by the size of its musculoskeletal system. Myoblast fusion is an innovative mechanism that allows for multinucleated muscle fibers to compound the size and strength of individual mononucleated cells. However, the evolutionary history of the control mechanism underlying this important process is currently unknown. The phylum Chordata hosts closely related groups that span distinct myoblast fusion states: no fusion in cephalochordates, restricted fusion and multinucleation in tunicates, and extensive, obligatory fusion in vertebrates. To elucidate how these differences may have evolved, we studied the evolutionary origins and function of membrane-coalescing agents Myomaker and Myomixer in various groups of chordates. Here we report that Myomaker likely arose through gene duplication in the last common ancestor of tunicates and vertebrates, while Myomixer appears to have evolved de novo in early vertebrates. Functional tests revealed an unexpectedly complex evolutionary history of myoblast fusion in chordates. A pre-vertebrate phase of muscle multinucleation driven by Myomaker was followed by the later emergence of Myomixer that enables the highly efficient fusion system of vertebrates. Thus, our findings reveal the evolutionary origins of chordate-specific fusogens and illustrate how new genes can shape the emergence of novel morphogenetic traits and mechanisms.

scholarly journals Mycenagenomes resolve the evolution of fungal bioluminescence

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (49) ◽  
pp. 31267-31277
Author(s):  
Huei-Mien Ke ◽  
Hsin-Han Lee ◽  
Chan-Yi Ivy Lin ◽  
Yu-Ching Liu ◽  
Min R. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Genome Assemblies

Mushroom-forming fungi in the order Agaricales represent an independent origin of bioluminescence in the tree of life; yet the diversity, evolutionary history, and timing of the origin of fungal luciferases remain elusive. We sequenced the genomes and transcriptomes of five bonnet mushroom species (Mycenaspp.), a diverse lineage comprising the majority of bioluminescent fungi. Two species with haploid genome assemblies ∼150 Mb are among the largest in Agaricales, and we found that a variety of repeats betweenMycenaspecies were differentially mediated by DNA methylation. We show that bioluminescence evolved in the last common ancestor of mycenoid and the marasmioid clade of Agaricales and was maintained through at least 160 million years of evolution. Analyses of synteny across genomes of bioluminescent species resolved how the luciferase cluster was derived by duplication and translocation, frequently rearranged and lost in mostMycenaspecies, but conserved in theArmillarialineage. Luciferase cluster members were coexpressed across developmental stages, with the highest expression in fruiting body caps and stipes, suggesting fruiting-related adaptive functions. Our results contribute to understanding a de novo origin of bioluminescence and the corresponding gene cluster in a diverse group of enigmatic fungal species.

scholarly journals Venom-gland Transcriptomic, Venomic, and Antivenomic Profiles of the Spine-bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Yan Zhao ◽  
Lin Wen ◽  
Yu-Feng Miao ◽  
Yu Du ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
South China ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
The South China Sea ◽  
Protein Families ◽  
The South ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
China Sea

Abstract Background: A comprehensive evaluation of the -omic profiles of venom is important for understanding the potential function and evolution of snake venom. Here, we conducted an integrated multi-omics-analysis to unveil the venom-transcriptomic and venomic profiles in a same group of spine-bellied sea snakes (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea, where the snake is a widespread species and might generate regionally-specific venom potentially harmful to human activities. The capacity of two heterologous antivenoms to immunocapture the H. curtus venom was determined for an in-depth evaluation of their rationality in treatment of H. curtus envenomation. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood was used to detect the adaptive molecular evolution of full-length toxin-coding unigenes.Results: A total of 90,909,384 pairs of clean reads were generated via Illumina sequencing from a pooled cDNA library of six specimens, and yielding 148,121 unigenes through de novo assembly. Sequence similarity searching harvested 63,845 valid annotations, including 63,789 non-toxin-coding and 56 toxin-coding unigenes belonging to 22 protein families. Three protein families, three-finger toxins (3-FTx), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and cysteine-rich secretory protein, were detected in the venom proteome. 3-FTx (27.15% in the transcriptome/41.94% in the proteome) and PLA2 (59.71%/49.36%) were identified as the most abundant families in the venom-gland transcriptome and venom proteome. In addition, 24 unigenes from 11 protein families were shown to have experienced positive selection in their evolutionary history, whereas four were relatively conserved throughout evolution. Commercial Naja atra antivenom exhibited a stronger capacity than Bungarus multicinctus antivenom to immunocapture H. curtus venom components, especially short neurotoxins, with the capacity of both antivenoms to immunocapture short neurotoxins being weaker than that for PLA2s.Conclusions: Our study clarified the venom-gland transcriptomic and venomic profiles along with the within-group divergence of a H. curtus population from the South China Sea. Adaptive evolution of most venom components driven by natural selection appeared to occur rapidly during evolutionary history. Notably, the utility of commercial N. atra and B. multicinctus antivenoms against H. curtus toxins was not comprehensive; thus, the development of species-specific antivenom is urgently needed.

Scanning Electron Microscopic and Electrophoretic Observations on Barium Sulphate Used to Adsorb Clotting Factors

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 (02) ◽  
pp. 256-270
Author(s):  
R. M Howell ◽  
S. L. M Deacon
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Barium Sulphate ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Complementary Techniques ◽  
Scanning Electron

SummaryElectron microscopy and particle electrophoresis were found to be complementary techniques with which to complete the physical data from an earlier study on barium sulphates used to adsorb clotting factors from serum. The differences revealed by scanning electron microscopy (S. E. M.) in the physical shape of low and high density grades of barium sulphate particles appear to be of greater significance than charge as expressed by electrophoretic mobility, in determining whether or not precursor or preformed factor Xa is eluted.This conclusion was based on the finding that at pH values close to 7, where the adsorption from serum occurs, all samples with the exception of natural barytes were uncharged. However as the high-density, or soil-grade, was found by S. E. M. to consist of large solid crystals it was suggested that this shape might induce activation of factor X as a result of partial denaturation and consequent unfolding of the adsorbed protein. In contrast, uptake of protein into the centre of the porous aggregates revealed by S. E. M. pictures of low-density or X-ray grade barium sulphate may afford protection against denaturation and exposure of the enzyme site.The porous nature of particles of low-density barium sulphate compared with the solid crystalline forms of other grades accounts not only for its lower bulk density but also for its greater surface/gram ratio which is reflected by an ability to adsorb more protein from serum.Neither technique produced evidence from any of the samples to indicate the presence of stabilising agents sometimes used to coat particles in barium meals.

Kinetic Aspects of the Interaction of Blood-Clotting Enzymes

1968 ◽  
Vol 20 (01/02) ◽  
pp. 078-087 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. C Hemker ◽  
A. D Muller
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Blood Clotting ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Vitamin K Deficiency ◽  
K Deficiency

SummaryPIVKA, the circulating anticoagulant protein found in vitamin K deficiency can, on kinetical grounds, be recognized as an analogue of factor X. The existence of analogues of other vitamin K-dependent clotting factors cannot be ruled out, but need not be assumed to explain the experimental results.

Increased Activity of Vitamin K-Dependent Clotting Factors in Human Hyperlipoproteinaemia – Association with Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels

1977 ◽  
Vol 38 (02) ◽  
pp. 0465-0474 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Constantino ◽  
C Merskey ◽  
D. J Kudzma ◽  
M. B Zucker
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Plasma Lipids ◽  
Coagulation Factors ◽  
Clotting Factor ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Blood Coagulation Factors ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Type V ◽  
Increased Activity

SummaryLevels of blood coagulation factors, cholesterol and triglyceride were measured in human plasma. Prothrombin was significantly elevated in type Ha hyperlipidaemia; prothrombin and factors VII, IX and X in type lib; and prothrombin and factors VII and IX in type V. Multiple regression analysis showed significant correlation between the levels of these plasma lipids and the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (prothrombin, factors VII, IX and X). Higher cholesterol levels were associated with higher levels of prothrombin and factor X while higher triglyceride levels were associated with higher levels of these as well as factors VII and IX. Prothrombin showed a significant cholesterol-triglyceride interaction in that higher cholesterol levels were associated with higher prothrombin levels at all levels of triglyceride, with the most marked effects in subjects with higher triglyceride levels. Higher prothrombin levels were noted in subjects with high or moderately elevated (but not low) cholesterol levels. Ultracentrifugation of plasma in a density of 1.21 showed activity for prothrombin and factors VII and X only in the lipoprotein-free subnatant fraction. Thus, a true increase in clotting factor protein was probably present. The significance of the correlation between levels of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and plasma lipids remains to be determined.

scholarly journals Pan-American Lancehead Pit-Vipers: Coagulotoxic Venom Effects and Antivenom Neutralisation of Bothrops asper and B. atrox Geographical Variants

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Lachlan A. Bourke ◽  
Christina N. Zdenek ◽  
Edgar Neri-Castro ◽  
Melisa Bénard-Valle ◽  
Alejandro Alagón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Bothrops Asper ◽  
Species Specific

The toxin composition of snake venoms and, thus, their functional activity, can vary between and within species. Intraspecific venom variation across a species’ geographic range is a major concern for antivenom treatment of envenomations, particularly for countries like French Guiana that lack a locally produced antivenom. Bothrops asper and Bothrops atrox are the most medically significant species of snakes in Latin America, both producing a variety of clinical manifestations, including systemic bleeding. These pathophysiological actions are due to the activation by the venom of the blood clotting factors Factor X and prothrombin, thereby causing severe consumptive coagulopathy. Both species are extremely wide-ranging, and previous studies have shown their venoms to exhibit regional venom variation. In this study, we investigate the differential coagulotoxic effects on human plasma of six venoms (four B. asper and two B. atrox samples) from different geographic locations, spanning from Mexico to Peru. We assessed how the venom variation of these venom samples affects neutralisation by five regionally available antivenoms: Antivipmyn, Antivipmyn-Tri, PoliVal-ICP, Bothrofav, and Soro Antibotrópico (SAB). The results revealed both inter- and intraspecific variations in the clotting activity of the venoms. These variations in turn resulted in significant variation in antivenom efficacy against the coagulotoxic effects of these venoms. Due to variations in the venoms used in the antivenom production process, antivenoms differed in their species-specific or geographical neutralisation capacity. Some antivenoms (PoliVal-ICP, Bothrofav, and SAB) showed species-specific patterns of neutralisation, while another antivenom (Antivipmyn) showed geographic-specific patterns of neutralisation. This study adds to current knowledge of Bothrops venoms and also illustrates the importance of considering evolutionary biology when developing antivenoms. Therefore, these results have tangible, real-world implications by aiding evidence-based design of antivenoms for treatment of the envenomed patient. We stress that these in vitro studies must be backed by future in vivo studies and clinical trials before therapeutic guidelines are issued regarding specific antivenom use in a clinical setting.

Abstract 315: Efficacy and Safety of Rivaroxaban in in vitro Experiments With the Endothelial Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaname Seki ◽  
Yosuke Mizuno ◽  
Toku Sakashita ◽  
Jun Tanno ◽  
Shintaro Nakano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
Coagulation Cascade ◽  
Elisa Assay ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Inflammatory Phase

Aim: Activated factor X (FXa) plays important roles in the thrombin generation and in inflammation, which is evoked during the endothelial damage. Although rivaroxaban is a selective FXa antagonist, it is one of the key therapies in ischemic heart disease, and yet its function in the state of inactivated coagulation cascade is uncertain. Rivaroxaban blocks FXa in the blood but not the tissue, while factor X is converted to FXa only when glutamic acid is changed to γ-carboxyglutamic acid by vitamin K following the intrinsic clotting factors and/or cellular injury activation. To uncover this aspect, we performed the following experiments. Methods and results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were obtained from Lonza Co., Ltd. The cells were grown to 80% confluence and were treated with rivaroxaban (100nM, 500nM, 1000nM, 2000nM respectively) without FXa stimulation for 4 h, 10 h or 24 h. Cells and medium were collected and then their RNA was extracted from the cells. The qPCR of MCP-1, PAR1-4 and the DNA micro arrays (The GeneChip Human Gene 2.0 ST Array, Affymetrix) were performed. There was neither increased nor decreased gene expression significantly in either experimental time course of the qPCRs or the the DNA micro arrays. The ELISA assay of MCP-1 with medium showed non-activated MCP-1. As a next step, cells were treated with 100nM FXa and with/without rivaroxaban in same time course, and cells and medium were collected for further experiments. FXa evoked induction of mRNA levels for several pro-inflammatory cytokines including MCP-1 maximally at 4h, whereas MCP-1 was maximally evoked at 24 h in ELISA assay. Interestingly rivaroxaban inhibited both in all time course, at 4 hour inflammatory phase and at 24 hour inflammatory phase. Conclusion: Collectively, these results suggest that rivaroxaban may be safe in the inactivated coagulation state, and has the efficacy to attenuate the endothelial damage evoked by FXa and by pro-inflammatory cytokine genes.

The rise of factor X level in blood plasma of patients at severe burn injuries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
George P Kozynets ◽  
Volodymyr P Tsyhankov ◽  
Daria S Korolova ◽  
Olga V Gornytska ◽  
Olexiy M Savchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein C ◽  
Antithrombin Iii ◽  
Burn Injury ◽  
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time ◽  
Burn Injuries ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Severe Burn ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Thrombotic Complications ◽  
Severe Burn Injuries

Abstract This work is dedicated to the detection of imbalance between the pro- and anti-coagulant branches of hemostasis at severe burn injuries by evaluating the content or activity of individual clotting factors. To select the targets for accurate diagnostics we measured the concentrations of soluble fibrin monomeric complexes and fibrinogen, levels of total prothrombin, factor X, protein C and antithrombin III, and recorded the time of clotting in activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time tests. Factor X level was increased in 26 % of patients on the first day after the burn and it rose further in 62 % patients on the 14 th day of recovery. Increasing factor X level is assumed to be a risk factor of thrombotic complications. We propose to use it as a marker of predisposition to thrombosis at severe burn injury.

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