Daniela P. Marchi-Salvador

Insights into the role of oligomeric state on the biological activities of crotoxin: Crystal structure of a tetrameric phospholipase A2 formed by two isoforms of crotoxin B from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom

Crotoxin B (CB or Cdt PLA2) is a basic Asp49‐PLA2 found in the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus and it is one of the subunits that constitute the crotoxin (Cro). This heterodimeric toxin, main component of the C. d. terrificus venom, is completed by an acidic, nontoxic, and nonenzymatic component (crotoxin A, CA or crotapotin), and it is related to important envenomation effects such as neurological disorders, myotoxicity, and renal failure. Although Cro has been crystallized since 1938, no crystal structure of this toxin or its subunits is currently available. In this work, the authors present the crystal structure of a novel tetrameric complex formed by two dimers of crotoxin B isoforms (CB1 and CB2). The results suggest that these assemblies are stable in solution and show that Ser1 and Glu92 of CB1 and CB2, respectively, play an important role in the oligomerization. The tetrameric and dimeric conformations resulting from the association of the isoforms may increase the neurotoxicity of the toxin CB by the creation of new binding sites, which could improve the affinity of the molecular complexes to the presynaptic membrane. Proteins 2008.

Comparison between apo and complexed structures of bothropstoxin-I reveals the role of Lys122 and Ca2+-binding loop region for the catalytically inactive Lys49-PLA2s

Phospholipases A(2) (Asp49-PLA(2)s) are enzymes responsible for cellular membrane disruption through Ca(2+)-dependent hydrolysis of phospholipids. A class of these proteins (Lys49-PLA(2)s) does not show catalytic activity but can exert a pronounced local myotoxic effect that is not neutralized by serum therapy. In this work, we present five structures of Lys49-PLA(2)s from snakes of the Bothrops genus in apo form, complexed with PEG molecules and chemically modified by p-bromofenacil bromide (BPB), a classic inhibitor of PLA(2). We present herein an extensive structural analysis including: (i) the function of hydrophobic long-chain molecules as Lys49-PLA(2)s inhibitors, (ii) the role of Lys122, previously indicated as being responsible for Lys49-PLA(2)s catalytic inactivity and, (iii) a structural comparison of the Ca(2+)-binding loop region between Lys49 and Asp49-PLA(2)s. The Lys122 analysis of 30 different monomers for apo and complexed Lys49-PLA(2)s structures shows that this residue is very flexible and may bind to different carboxyl groups giving stability to the crystal structures. The structural comparisons of the Ca(2+)-binding loop region between Lys49 and Asp49-PLA(2)s reveal the importance of the Tyr28 residue conservation in Asp49-PLA(2)s to the integrity of this loop. The Tyr28 residue stabilizes this region by an interaction with Gly35 residue. In Lys49-PLA(2)s and low-catalytic Asp49-PLA(2)s this interaction does not occur, preventing the binding of Ca(2+).

Crystal structure of a myotoxic Asp49-phospholipase A2 with low catalytic activity: Insights into Ca2+-independent catalytic mechanism

A myotoxic Asp49-phospholipase A2 (Asp49-PLA2) with low catalytic activity (BthTX-II from Bothrops jararacussu venom) was crystallized and the molecular-replacement solution has been obtained with a dimer in the asymmetric unit. The quaternary structure of BthTX-II resembles the myotoxic Asp49-PLA2 PrTX-III (piratoxin III from B. pirajai venom) and all non-catalytic and myotoxic dimeric Lys49-PLA2S. Despite of this, BthTX-II is different from the highly catalytic and non-myotoxic BthA-I (acidic PLA2 from B. jararacussu) and other Asp49-PLA2S. BthTX-II structure showed a severe distortion of calcium-binding loop leading to displacement of the C-terminal region. Tyr28 side chain, present in this region, is in an opposite position in relation to the same residue in the catalytic activity Asp49-PLA2S, making a hydrogen bond with the atom O delta 2 of the catalytically active Asp49, which should coordinate the calcium. This high distortion may also be confirmed by the inability of BthTX-II to bind Na+ ions at the Ca2+-binding loop, despite of the crystallization to have occurred in the presence of this ion. In contrast, other Asp49-PLA2S which are able to bind Ca2+ ions are also able to bind Na+ ions at this loop. The comparison with other catalytic, non-catalytic and inhibited PLA2S indicates that the BthTX-II is not able to bind calcium ions; consequently, we suggest that its low catalytic function is based on an alternative way compared with other PLA2S.

Hemoglobinas anormais e dificuldade diagnóstica

The human hemoglobins, with genetically defined inheritance patterns, have shown characteristic polymorphic variation within the Brazilian population, depending on the racial groups of each region. They have appeared under the form of hemoglobin variants or thalassemias, the variant types S and C and the alpha and beta thalassemias being more common, all of them in heterozygote form. During the year of 1999, blood samples from 506 individuals, with suspected anemia or that had already passed through hemoglobinopathies screening, were sent to the Hemoglobin Reference Center ¾ UNESP for diagnostic confirmation and submitted to electrophoresis proceedings, biochemical and cytological analyses in order to characterize the type of abnormal hemoglobins. The goal of the present study was to verify which abnormal hemoglobin types show greater diagnostic difficulty. The samples came from 24 cities in twelve states. The results showed that 354 (69.96%) individuals presented abnormal hemoglobins, 30 (5.93%) being Hb AS, 5 (0.98%) being Hb AC, 76 (15.02%) suggestive of heterozygote alpha thalassemia, 134 (26.48%) suggestive of heterozygote beta thalassemia and 109 (21.54%) with other forms of abnormal hemoglobin, including rare variants and different forms of thalassemias and variant hemoglobin interactions. It has been concluded that, despite the improved techniques currently available and a constant influx of capacitated personnel, the heterozygote form of thalassemias (210 individuals ¾ 41.50%) is challenging to diagnose, followed in difficulty by rare variant characterization and interactive forms of hemoglobinopathies (109 individuals ¾ 21,54%), suggesting that the capacity for production of qualified professionals and information about these genetic changes in our population should be increased.

Structural and Phylogenetic Studies with MjTX-I Reveal a Multi-Oligomeric Toxin – a Novel Feature in Lys49-PLA2s Protein Class

The mortality caused by snakebites is more damaging than many tropical diseases, such as dengue haemorrhagic fever, cholera, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and Chagas disease. For this reason, snakebite envenoming adversely affects health services of tropical and subtropical countries and is recognized as a neglected disease by the World Health Organization. One of the main components of snake venoms is the Lys49-phospholipases A2, which is catalytically inactive but possesses other toxic and pharmacological activities. Preliminary studies with MjTX-I from Bothrops moojeni snake venom revealed intriguing new structural and functional characteristics compared to other bothropic Lys49-PLA2s. We present in this article a comprehensive study with MjTX-I using several techniques, including crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering, analytical size-exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, myographic studies, bioinformatics and molecular phylogenetic analyses.Based in all these experiments we demonstrated that MjTX-I is probably a unique Lys49-PLA2, which may adopt different oligomeric forms depending on the physical-chemical environment. Furthermore, we showed that its myotoxic activity is dramatically low compared to other Lys49-PLA2s, probably due to the novel oligomeric conformations and important mutations in the C-terminal region of the protein. The phylogenetic analysis also showed that this toxin is clearly distinct from other bothropic Lys49-PLA2s, in conformity with the peculiar oligomeric characteristics of MjTX-I and possible emergence of new functionalities inresponse to environmental changes and adaptation to new preys.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a myotoxic Lys49-PLA2 from Bothrops jararacussu venom complexed with p-bromophenacyl bromide.

For the first time, a non-catalytic and myotoxic Lys49-PLA2 (BthTX-I from Bothrops jararacussu venom) has been crystallized with BPB inhibitor. X-ray diffraction data were collected and electron-density calculations showed that the ligand is bound to the His48 residue. BthTX-I with His48 chemically modified by BPB shows strongly reduced myotoxic and cytotoxic activities. This suggests a biological correlation between the modification of His48, which is associated with catalytic activity of PLA2s, and other toxicological activities of Lys49-PLA2s.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of myotoxin I, a Lys49-phospholipase A2 from Bothrops moojeni

A new myotoxic Lys49-phospholipase A2 isolated from Bothrops moojeni snake venom has been crystallized. The crystals diffracted to 2.18 A resolution using a synchrotron-radiation source and belong to space group C2. The unit-cell parameters are a = 56.8, b = 125.0, c = 64.7 A, beta = 105.5 degrees. Preliminary analysis indicates the presence of four molecules in the asymmetric unit. This may suggest a new quaternary structure for this Lys49-phospholipase A2 in contrast to the dimeric and monomeric structures solved so far for this class of proteins.

Hemoglobinas AS/alfa talassemia: importância diagnóstica

Portadores de traco falciforme (hemoglobina AS) associados a talassemia alfa apresentam alteracoes na morfologia dos eritrocitos, normalmente ausentes nos heterozigotos para esta variante de hemoglobina. A interacao entre hemoglobina S e talassemia alfa tem sido descrita como um dos fatores responsaveis pela melhora no quadro clinico de portadores homozigotos de hemoglobina S (anemia falciforme), diminuindo os episodios de crises de falcizacao. Os mecanismos geneticos desta influencia sao avaliados em analises moleculares dos genes da globina humana. Com o objetivo de verificar a presenca de talassemia alfa em portadores de hemoglobina S em heterozigose, com presenca de anemia, encaminhados ao Laboratorio de Hemoglobinas do Departamento de Biologia da UNESP, de Sao Jose do Rio Preto, analisamos 1.002 amostras de sangue com traco falciforme, no periodo de 1990 a 1998. As amostras foram colhidas com EDTA como anticoagulante, apos previa autorizacao dos portadores. Para o diagnostico laboratorial as amostras de sangue foram submetidas a procedimentos eletroforeticos em pH alcalino e acido e pesquisa citologica de hemoglobina H. Os procedimentos eletroforeticos confirmaram a presenca de hemoglobina AS. A pesquisa citologica evidenciou a presenca de talassemia alfa. Deste total analisado, 16 (1,59 %) amostras de sangue apresentaram a associacao entre hemoglobina AS e alfa talassemia, sendo que duas eram de individuos de uma mesma familia. Os resultados obtidos nos direcionaram a sugerir aos laboratorios de rotina que realizem a pesquisa de alfa talassemia entre os portadores de hemoglobina AS, com presenca de anemia, para verificar a interacao com talassemia alfa, fornecendo assim aos portadores informacao importante sobre seu perfil hematologico.

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of a tetrameric phospholipase A2 formed by two isoforms of crotoxin B from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom

Crotoxin B is a basic phospholipase A2 found in the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus and is one of the subunits that constitute crotoxin. This heterodimeric toxin, which is the main component of C. d. terrificus venom, is completed by an acidic, nontoxic and non-enzymatic component (crotoxin A) and is involved in important envenomation effects, such as neurological disorders, myotoxicity and renal failure. Although crotoxin was first crystallized in 1938, no crystal structure is currently available for crotoxin, crotoxin A or crotoxin B. In this work, the crystallization, X-ray diffraction data collection to 2.28 A resolution and molecular-replacement solution of a novel tetrameric complex formed by two dimers of crotoxin B isoforms (CB1 and CB2) is presented.

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of BthTX-­II, a myotoxic Asp49-phospholipase A2 with low catalytic activity from Bothrops jararacussu venom

For the first time, a complete X-ray diffraction data set has been collected from a myotoxic Asp49-phospholipase A2 (Asp49-PLA2) with low catalytic activity (BthTX-II from Bothrops jararacussu venom) and a molecular-replacement solution has been obtained with a dimer in the asymmetric unit. The quaternary structure of BthTX-II resembles the myotoxin Asp49-PLA2 PrTX-III (piratoxin III from B. pirajai venom) and all non-catalytic and myotoxic dimeric Lys49-PLA2s. In contrast, the oligomeric structure of BthTX-II is different from the highly catalytic and non-myotoxic BthA-I (acidic PLA2 from B. jararacussu). Thus, comparison between these structures should add insight into the catalytic and myotoxic activities of bothropic PLA2s.