José Carlos de Freitas

Vertical distribution of benthic marine organisms on rocky coasts of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Brazil)

Qualitative samples of flora and fauna were collected in several points, from the supralittoral fringe down to 30 m, using mainly aqualungs. Species distribution and abundance were determined along four transects, up to 200 m long, in selected places. Samples were taken from 25 x 25 cm quadrats positioned at fixed intervals along the transects down to a variable depth, depending on algal percentage cover and their substrate. The intertidal zone was populated essentially by molluscs. The subtidal was covered predominantly by macroalgae. Montastrea cavernosa, Siderastrea stellata and Mussismillia hispida were the only animal species with a significant percentage cover within the quadrats. Dictyopteris justii, D. plagiograma, Dictyota cervicornis, D. linearis, D. mertensii, Sargassum platycarpum, Sargassum sp, and Stypopodium zonale were the plants with the highest biomass and/or percentage cover, along with Amphiroa fragilissima, Caulerpa verticillata, and crustose corallines. The scarcity of sea urchins, along with the dominance of algae known to produce chemical feeding deterrents or to have a calcareous nature, points towards a strong pressure by predators, with fishes probably playing a key role in the maintenance of the structure of this subtidal community.

Cytotoxic and neurotoxic activities in extracts of marine sponges (porifera) from southeastern Brazilian coast

This work reports the results of a screening program based on marine sponge extracts from the southeastern Brazilian coast, covering cytotoxic and neurotoxic activities. Polar and non-polar extracts of 24 sponge species collected by scuba diving in rocky shores, from 1996 to 2000, were screened for haemolytic, cytotoxic and neurotoxic activities. Fifty-four percent (13/24) of the sponge extracts tested exhibited from median to high toxicity in at least one of the toxicity bioassays performed. Amphimedon sp. and Arenosclera brasiliensis Muricy and Ribeiro, 1999 induced haemolysis in mice erythrocytes at small concentrations. Aaptos sp. and Geodia corticostylifera Hajdu, Muricy, Custodio, Russo and Peixinho, 1992 extracts lysed the sea-urchin eggs, while Axinella aff. corrugata George and Wilson, 1919, Mycale laxissima Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, A. brasiliensis and Raspailia elegans Bourm-Esnauls, 1973, inhibited mitosis and its development. The extracts of G. gibberosa Lamarck, 1815 and Stelletta sp. showed specific neurotoxic activity, while G. corticostylifera and A. brasiliensis extracts induced blockage of action potential conduction in crustacean nerve, maybe due to their lytic properties.

Proteomics of the neurotoxic fraction from the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum venom: Novel peptides belonging to new classes of toxins

In contrast to the many studies on the venoms of scorpions, spiders, snakes and cone snails, up to now there has been no report of the proteomic analysis of sea anemones venoms. In this work we report for the first time the peptide mass fingerprint and some novel peptides in the neurotoxic fraction (Fr III) of the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum venom. Fr III is neurotoxic to crabs and was purified by rp-HPLC in a C-18 column, yielding 41 fractions. By checking their molecular masses by ESI-Q-Tof and MALDI-Tof MS we found 81 components ranging from near 250 amu to approximately 6000 amu. Some of the peptidic molecules were partially sequenced through the automated Edman technique. Three of them are peptides with near 4500 amu belonging to the class of the BcIV, BDS-I, BDS-II, APETx1, APETx2 and Am-II toxins. Another three peptides represent a novel group of toxins (~3200 amu). A further three molecules (~ approximately 4900 amu) belong to the group of type 1 sodium channel neurotoxins. When assayed over the crab leg nerve compound action potentials, one of the BcIV- and APETx-like peptides exhibits an action similar to the type 1 sodium channel toxins in this preparation, suggesting the same target in this assay. On the other hand one of the novel peptides, with 3176 amu, displayed an action similar to potassium channel blockage in this experiment. In summary, the proteomic analysis and mass fingerprint of fractions from sea anemone venoms through MS are valuable tools, allowing us to rapidly predict the occurrence of different groups of toxins and facilitating the search and characterization of novel molecules without the need of full characterization of individual components by broader assays and bioassay-guided purifications. It also shows that sea anemones employ dozens of components for prey capture and defense.

Crotamine pharmacology revisited: novel insights based on the inhibition of KV channels

Crotamine, a 5-kDa peptide, possesses a unique biological versatility. Not only has its cell-penetrating activity become of clinical interest but, moreover, its potential selective antitumor activity is of great pharmacological importance. In the past, several studies have attempted to elucidate the exact molecular target responsible for the crotamine-induced skeletal muscle spasm. The aim of this study was to investigate whether crotamine affects voltage-gated potassium (KV) channels in an effort to explain its in vivo effects. Crotamine was studied on ion channel function using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique on 16 cloned ion channels (12 KV channels and 4 NaV channels), expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Crotamine selectively inhibits KV1.1, KV1.2, and KV1.3 channels with an IC50 of ∼300 nM, and the key amino acids responsible for this molecular interaction are suggested. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the symptoms, which are observed in the typical crotamine syndrome, may result from the inhibition of KV channels. The ability of crotamine to inhibit the potassium current through KV channels unravels it as the first snake peptide with the unique multifunctionality of cell-penetrating and antitumoral activity combined with KV channel-inhibiting properties. This new property of crotamine might explain some experimental observations and opens new perspectives on pharmacological uses.

Cytoskeleton alterations induced by Geodia corticostylifera depsipeptides in breast cancer cells

Crude extracts of the marine sponge Geodia corticostylifera from Brazilian Coast have previously shown antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, haemolytic and neurotoxic activities. The present work describes the isolation of the cyclic peptides geodiamolides A, B, H and I (1-4) from G. corticostylifera and their anti-proliferative effects against sea urchin eggs and human breast cancer cell lineages. Its structure-activity relationship is discussed as well. In an initial series of experiments these peptides inhibited the first cleavage of sea urchin eggs (Lytechinus variegatus). Duplication of nuclei without complete egg cell division indicated the mechanism of action might be related to microfilament disruption. Further studies showed that the geodiamolides have anti-proliferative activity against human breast cancer cell lines (T47D and MCF7). Using fluorescence techniques and confocal microscopy, we found evidence that the geodiamolides A, B, H and I act by disorganizing actin filaments of T47D and MCF7 cancer cells, in a way similar to other depsipeptides (such as jaspamide 5 and dolastatins), keeping the normal microtubule organization. Normal cells lines (primary culture human fibroblasts and BRL3A rat liver epithelial cells) were not affected by the treatment as tumor cells were, thus indicating the biomedical potential of these compounds.

Biochemical and Electrophysiological Characterization of Two Sea Anemone Type 1 Potassium Toxins from a Geographically Distant Population of Bunodosoma caissarum

Sea anemone (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) venom is an important source of bioactive compounds used as tools to study the pharmacology and structure-function of voltage-gated K+ channels (KV). These neurotoxins can be divided into four different types, according to their structure and mode of action. In this work, for the first time, two toxins were purified from the venom of Bunodosoma caissarum population from Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis reveals that BcsTx1 and BcsTx2 are the newest members of the sea anemone type 1 potassium channel toxins. Their functional characterization was performed by means of a wide electrophysiological screening on 12 different subtypes of KV channels (KV1.1–KV1.6; KV2.1; KV3.1; KV4.2; KV4.3; hERG and Shaker IR). BcsTx1 shows a high affinity for rKv1.2 over rKv1.6, hKv1.3, Shaker IR and rKv1.1, while Bcstx2 potently blocked rKv1.6 over hKv1.3, rKv1.1, Shaker IR and rKv1.2. Furthermore, we also report for the first time a venom composition and biological activity comparison between two geographically distant populations of sea anemones.

Revisiting cangitoxin, a sea anemone peptide: Purification and characterization of cangitoxins II and III from the venom of Bunodosoma cangicum

Sodium channel toxins from sea anemones are employed as tools for dissecting the biophysical properties of inactivation in voltage-gated sodium channels. Cangitoxin (CGTX) is a peptide containing 48 amino acid residues and was formerly purified from Bunodosoma cangicum. Nevertheless, previous works reporting the isolation procedures for such peptide from B. cangicum secretions are controversial and may lead to incorrect information. In this paper, we report a simple and rapid procedure, consisting of two chromatographic steps, in order to obtain a CGTX analog directly from sea anemone venom. We also report a substitution of N16D in this peptide sample and the co-elution of an inseparable minor isoform presenting the R14H substitution. Peptides are named as CGTX-II and CGTX-III, and their effects over Nav1.1 channels in patch clamp experiments are demonstrated.

Bunodosine 391: An Analgesic Acylamino Acid from the Venom of the Sea Anemone Bunodosoma cangicum

A new acylamino acid, bunodosine 391 (BDS 391), was isolated from the venom of the sea anemone Bunodosoma cangicum. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses (2D NMR, ESIMS/MS) and verified by its synthesis. Intraplantar injection of BDS 391 into the hind paw of a rat induced a potent analgesic effect. This effect was not altered by naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist), but was completely reversed by methysergide (a serotonin receptor antagonist), indicating that the effect is mediated by activation of serotonin receptors.

BcsTx3 is a founder of a novel sea anemone toxin family of potassium channel blocker

Sea anemone venoms have become a rich source of peptide toxins which are invaluable tools for studying the structure and functions of ion channels. In this work, BcsTx3, a toxin found in the venom of a Bunodosoma caissarum (population captured at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil) was purified and biochemically and pharmacologically characterized. The pharmacological effects were studied on 12 different subtypes of voltage‐gated potassium channels (KV1.1–KV1.6; KV2.1; KV3.1; KV4.2; KV4.3; hERG and Shaker IR) and three cloned voltage‐gated sodium channel isoforms (NaV1.2, NaV1.4 and BgNaV1.1) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. BcsTx3 shows a high affinity for Drosophila Shaker IR channels over rKv1.2, hKv1.3 and rKv1.6, and is not active on NaV channels. Biochemical characterization reveals that BcsTx3 is a 50 amino acid peptide crosslinked by four disulfide bridges, and sequence comparison allowed BcsTx3 to be classified as a novel type of sea anemone toxin acting on KV channels. Moreover, putative toxins homologous to BcsTx3 from two additional actiniarian species suggest an ancient origin of this newly discovered toxin family.

Characterization of selectivity and pharmacophores of type 1 sea anemone toxins by screening seven Nav sodium channel isoforms

During their evolution, animals have developed a set of cysteine-rich peptides capable of binding various extracellular sites of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC). Sea anemone toxins that target VGSCs delay their inactivation process, but little is known about their selectivities. Here we report the investigation of three native type 1 toxins (CGTX-II, δ-AITX-Bcg1a and δ-AITX-Bcg1b) purified from the venom of Bunodosoma cangicum. Both δ-AITX-Bcg1a and δ-AITX-Bcg1b toxins were fully sequenced. The three peptides were evaluated by patch-clamp technique among Nav1.1-1.7 isoforms expressed in mammalian cell lines, and their preferential targets are Na(v)1.5>1.6>1.1. We also evaluated the role of some supposedly critical residues in the toxins which would interact with the channels, and observed that some substitutions are not critical as expected. In addition, CGTX-II and δ-AITX-Bcg1a evoke different shifts in activation/inactivation Boltzmann curves in Nav1.1 and 1.6. Moreover, our results suggest that the interaction region between toxins and VGSCs is not restricted to the supposed site 3 (S3-S4 linker of domain IV), and this may be a consequence of distinct surface of contact of each peptide vs. targeted channel. Our data suggest that the contact surfaces of each peptide may be related to their surface charges, as CGTX-II is more positive than δ-AITX-Bcg1a and δ-AITX-Bcg1b.