Biomedical subjects

Jay W Fox

Publications and source records attributed to Jay W Fox.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Protein disulphide isomerase binds ammodytoxin strongly: possible implications for toxin trafficking.

Ammodytoxin, a group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2) from the venom of the long-nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes), is a potent presynaptically acting neurotoxin. It blocks the secretion of neurotransmitter from the nerve cell, thus hindering the communication with the neighbouring neuron or muscle cell. To express the neurotoxicity, ammodytoxin should interact with specific receptors in the axon terminal and express phospholipase activity. Our previous results indicate that, following the association with a receptor on the external side of the presynaptic membrane, the toxin penetrates into the cytosol of the nerve cell. Here, we show that the toxin associates specifically with protein disulphide isomerase, a protein in the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum, which may be crucial for the retention and concentration of the toxin in this cellular compartment and for its subsequent transport across the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol of the nerve cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

A multifaceted analysis of viperid snake venoms by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis: an approach to understanding venom proteomics.

The complexity of Viperid venoms has long been appreciated by investigators in the fields of toxinology and medicine. However, it is only recently that the depth of that complexity has become somewhat quantitatively and qualitatively appreciated. With the resurgence of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and the advances in mass spectrometry virtually all venom components can be visualized and identified given sufficient effort and resources. Here we present the use of 2-DE for examining venom complexity as well as demonstrating interesting approaches to selectively delineate subpopulations of venom proteins based on particular characteristics of the proteins such as antibody cross-reactivity or enzymatic activities. 2-DE comparisons between venoms from different species of the same genus (Bothrops) of snake clearly demonstrated both the similarity as well as the apparent diversity among these venoms. Using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry we were able to identify regions of the two-dimensional gels from each venom in which certain classes of proteins were found. 2-DE was also used to compare venoms from Crotalus atrox and Bothrops jararaca. For these venoms a variety of staining/detection protocols was utilized to compare and contrast the venoms. Specifically, we used various stains to visualize subpopulations of the venom proteomes of these snakes, including Coomassie, Silver, Sypro Ruby and Pro-Q-Emerald. Using specific antibodies in Western blot analyses of 2-DE of the venoms we have examined subpopulations of proteins in these venoms including the serine proteinase proteome, the metalloproteinase proteome, and the phospholipases A2 proteome. A functional assessment of the gelatinolytic activity of these venoms was also performed by zymography. These approaches have given rise to a more thorough understanding of venom complexity and the toxins comprising these venoms and provide insights to investigators who wish to focus on these venom subpopulations of proteins in future studies.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Alternagin-C, a disintegrin-like protein, induces vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) expression and endothelial cell proliferation in vitro.

Alternagin-C (ALT-C), a disintegrin-like protein purified from the venom of the Brazilian snake Bothrops alternatus, interacts with the major collagen I receptor, the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin, inhibiting collagen binding. Here we show that ALT-C also inhibits the adhesion of a mouse fibroblast cell line (NIH-3T3) to collagen I (IC(50) 2.2 microm). In addition, when immobilized on plate wells, ALT-C supports the adhesion of this cell line as well as of human vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). ALT-C (3 microm) does not detach cells that were previously bound to collagen I. ALT-C (5 nm) induces HUVEC proliferation in vitro, and it inhibits the positive effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or FGF-2 on the proliferation of these cells, thus suggesting a common mechanism for these proteins. Gene expression analysis of human fibroblasts growing on ALT-C- or collagen-coated plates showed that ALT-C and collagen I induce a very similar pattern of gene expression. When compared with cells growing on plastic only, ALT-C up-regulates the expression of 45 genes including the VEGF gene and down-regulates the expression of 30 genes. Fibroblast VEGF expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and ELISA assay. Up-regulation of the VEGF gene and other growth factors could explain the positive effect on HUVEC proliferation. ALT-C also strongly activates Akt/PKB phosphorylation, a signaling event involved in endothelial survival and angiogenesis. In conclusion, ALT-C acts as a survival factor, promoting adhesion and endothelial cell proliferation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

GeneX Va: VBC open source microarray database and analysis software.

Developed by the Virginia Bioinformatics Consortium (VBC), GeneX Va is an open source, freeware database and bioinformatics analysis software for archiving and analyzing Affymetrix GeneChip data. It provides an integrated framework for management, documentation, and analysis of microarray experiments and data to support a range of users, from individual research laboratories to institutional microarray facilities. GeneX Va also provides web-based access to a PostgreSQL relational database system with a comprehensive security system. Data can be extracted from the database and delivered to interactive or scriptable statistical analysis protocols. The security system allows each investigator to manage their own array data and analysis output files and also provides custom access privileges for other users, groups, and internal/external collaborators. The analysis interface uses "Analysis Trees," an innovative user interface that allows researchers to interactively create a tree-structured flow chart of analysis routines. The latest GeneX Va software is available from and can be freely downloaded at the Sourceforge web site http://va-genex.sourceforge.net. To allow researchers to access the database and analysis capabilities of the GeneX Va system, microarray data from many VBC GeneChip experiments have been deposited into a public section of the GeneX Va system at the University of Virginia. The VBC GeneX Va sites, which include documentation, are at http://genes.med.virginia.edu/ of the University of Virginia and at http://genex.csbc.vcu.edu/ of the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Computer Security↗

PubMed2003

Characterization of 'basparin A,' a prothrombin-activating metalloproteinase, from the venom of the snake Bothrops asper that inhibits platelet aggregation and induces defibrination and thrombosis.

A prothrombin activator, named 'basparin A,' was isolated from the venom of the crotaline snake Bothrops asper, the species responsible for the majority of snakebite cases in Central America. It is an acidic (pI 5.4), 70kDa, single chain P-III metalloproteinase comprising, in addition to the metalloproteinase domain, disintegrin-like, and high-cysteine domains. Basparin A is a glycoprotein displaying immunological cross-reactivity with BaH1, a P-III hemorrhagic metalloproteinase isolated from the same venom. It activates prothrombin through the formation of meizothrombin, without requiring additional cofactors; it is, therefore, a class A snake venom prothrombin activator. In contrast with most venom metalloproteinases, it does not degrade components of the extracellular matrix. Apart from its clotting activity, basparin A inhibits collagen-dependent platelet aggregation in vitro, an effect that does not depend on proteolytic activity. Clotting activity on human plasma is not abrogated by the plasma proteinase inhibitors alpha(2) macroglobulin and murinoglobulin, whereas activity is completely inhibited by Costa Rican polyvalent (Crotalinae) anti-venom. Basparin A does not induce local tissue alterations, such as hemorrhage, myonecrosis, and edema, in mice. Moreover, it does not induce systemic hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia nor prolongation of the bleeding time following intravenous administration. At low doses, the only observed effect induced by basparin A, when injected intravenously or intramuscularly into mice, is defibrin(ogen)ation. At higher doses, intravenous administration resulted in sudden death due to numerous occluding thrombi in pulmonary vessels. Basparin A is likely to play an important role in the coagulopathy associated with B. asper envenoming.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Identification of sites in the cysteine-rich domain of the class P-III snake venom metalloproteinases responsible for inhibition of platelet function.

Atrolysin A and jararhagin are class P-III snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) with three distinct domains: a metalloproteinase, a disintegrin-like and a cysteine-rich. The metalloproteinase and the disintegrin-like domains of atrolysin A and jararhagin contain peptide sequences that interact with alpha2beta1 integrin and inhibit the platelet responses to collagen. Recently, the recombinant cysteine-rich domain of atrolysin A was shown to have similar effects, but the sequence(s) responsible for this is unknown. In this report, we demonstrate two complete peptide sequences from the homologous cysteine-rich domains of atrolysin A and jararhagin that inhibit both platelet aggregation by collagen and adhesion of alpha2-expressing K562 cells to this protein. In addition, the peptide effects on platelets do not seem to involve an inhibition of GPVI. These results identify, for the first time, sites in the cysteine-rich domain of SVMPs that inhibit cell responses to collagen and reveal the complexity of the potential biological effects of these enzymes with multifunctional domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

The neurotoxic phospholipase A2 associates, through a non-phosphorylated binding motif, with 14-3-3 protein gamma and epsilon isoforms.

Two novel acceptors for ammodytoxin C, a presynaptically neurotoxic phospholipase A(2) from snake venom, have been purified from porcine cerebral cortex by a toxin-affinity-based procedure. Using tandem mass spectrometry, the isolated acceptors were identified as 14-3-3 gamma and epsilon isoforms, highly conserved cytoplasmic proteins involved in the regulation of numerous physiological processes. The interaction between ammodytoxin C and 14-3-3 proteins is direct and not mediated by calmodulin, a high-affinity acceptor for both ammodytoxin C and 14-3-3 proteins, as demonstrated in pull-down experiments and by surface plasmon resonance. The latter technique gave an apparent dissociation constant of 1.0+/-0.2 microM for the interaction between chip-immobilized 14-3-3 and ammodytoxin C. 14-3-3 usually interacts with proteins through specific phospho-Ser/Thr motifs. Ammodytoxin C is not a phospho-protein, therefore the interaction must occur through a non-phosphorylated binding site, most probably the KEESEK sequence at its C-terminal end. The interaction we describe suggests an explanation for the pathophysiological effects evoked by some secreted phospholipases A(2), such as the inhibition of protein phosphorylation, of terminal ion currents, and of neurotransmission, as well as the initiation of neuronal cell death, all processes regulated by 14-3-3 proteins.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Use of microarrays for investigating the subtoxic effects of snake venoms: insights into venom-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

The pathological effects of only a small percentage of the total number of protein components of snake venoms are well documented, yet this knowledge has led to a general understanding of the physiological consequences of snake venom poisoning. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of subpathological levels of Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake) and Bothrops jararaca (Jararaca) snake venoms on the gene expression profile of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in culture. Analysis of the data demonstrated that HUVECs treated with C. atrox venom had 33 genes up-regulated with significant fold changes of 1.5 or greater compared to untreated control cells. Ten genes were down-regulated with 1.5 or greater fold changes. In cells treated with B. jararaca venom, 33 genes were observed to be up-regulated and 11 genes were down-regulated with a fold change of 1.5 or more. More than half of the up-regulated genes and approximately half of the down-regulated genes detected in cells treated with the venoms were found in both data sets underscoring both the similarities and differences between the two venoms. Ontological categorization of the up-regulated genes from endothelial cells treated with either C. atrox or B. jararaca venom gave the cell growth/maintenance and signal transducer groups as having the most members. The ontology of the down-regulated genes from both venom-treated cell samples was more varied but interestingly, the predominant ontology class was also cell growth/maintenance. Many of the up-regulated genes are involved in the Fas ligand/TNF-alpha receptor apoptotic pathway. In summary, these experiments demonstrate the power of gene expression profiling to explore the subtoxic effects of venoms on gene expression and highlight its potential for the discovery of novel insights into a variety of biological processes and signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, these studies illustrate the subtle functional differences between similar venoms that are not always evident from standard analyses.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Immune response to native NadA from Neisseria meningitidis and its expression in clinical isolates in Brazil.

A mAb against the NadA protein from Neisseria meningitidis strain 3006 (serosubtype B : 2b : P1.2 : P5.2,8) demonstrated strong bactericidal activity against Brazilian epidemic serogroup B strain N44/89 (B : 4,7 : P1.19,15 : P5.5,7) and a serogroup C strain, IMC 2135 (C : 2a : P1.5,2), but not against another serogroup C strain, N1002/90 (C : 2b : P1.3 : P5.8). The immunogenicity of native NadA in an outer-membrane vesicle (OMV) preparation was also tested. Serum from mice immunized with OMV from serogroup B strain N44/89, which contains the NadA protein, showed bactericidal activity against serogroup B and C strains possessing NadA. In dot-blot analysis of 100 serogroup B and 100 serogroup C isolates from Brazilian patients, the mAb to NadA recognized about 60 % of the samples from both serogroups. The molecular mass of the NadA protein from strain N44/89 determined by mass spectrometry was 37 971 Da and the peptide sequences were identical to those of NadA from N. meningitidis strain MC58.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Amino acid sequence and crystal structure of BaP1, a metalloproteinase from Bothrops asper snake venom that exerts multiple tissue-damaging activities.

BaP1 is a 22.7-kD P-I-type zinc-dependent metalloproteinase isolated from the venom of the snake Bothrops asper, a medically relevant species in Central America. This enzyme exerts multiple tissue-damaging activities, including hemorrhage, myonecrosis, dermonecrosis, blistering, and edema. BaP1 is a single chain of 202 amino acids that shows highest sequence identity with metalloproteinases isolated from the venoms of snakes of the subfamily Crotalinae. It has six Cys residues involved in three disulfide bridges (Cys 117-Cys 197, Cys 159-Cys 181, Cys 157-Cys 164). It has the consensus sequence H(142)E(143)XXH(146)XXGXXH(152), as well as the sequence C(164)I(165)M(166), which characterize the "metzincin" superfamily of metalloproteinases. The active-site cleft separates a major subdomain (residues 1-152), comprising four alpha-helices and a five-stranded beta-sheet, from the minor subdomain, which is formed by a single alpha-helix and several loops. The catalytic zinc ion is coordinated by the N(epsilon 2) nitrogen atoms of His 142, His 146, and His 152, in addition to a solvent water molecule, which in turn is bound to Glu 143. Several conserved residues contribute to the formation of the hydrophobic pocket, and Met 166 serves as a hydrophobic base for the active-site groups. Sequence and structural comparisons of hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic P-I metalloproteinases from snake venoms revealed differences in several regions. In particular, the loop comprising residues 153 to 176 has marked structural differences between metalloproteinases with very different hemorrhagic activities. Because this region lies in close proximity to the active-site microenvironment, it may influence the interaction of these enzymes with physiologically relevant substrates in the extracellular matrix.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

The reprolysin jararhagin, a snake venom metalloproteinase, functions as a fibrillar collagen agonist involved in fibroblast cell adhesion and signaling.

The integrins alpha(2)beta(1) and alpha(1)beta(1) have been shown to modulate cellular activities of fibroblasts on contact with fibrillar collagen. Previously it has been shown that collagen binding to alpha(2)beta(1) regulates matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1 and membrane-type MT1-MMP expression. Jararhagin is a snake venom metalloproteinase of the Reprolysin family of zinc metalloproteinases, containing a metalloproteinase domain followed by disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains. Jararhagin blocks type I collagen-induced platelet aggregation by binding to the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin and inhibiting collagen-mediated intracellular signaling events. Here we present evidence that, in contrast to the observations in platelets, jararhagin binding to the integrin receptor alpha(2)beta(1) in fibroblasts produces collagen-like cell signaling events such as up-regulation of MMP-1 and MT1-MMP. Inactivation of the metalloproteinase domain had no effect on these properties of jararhagin. Thus, in fibroblasts the snake venom metalloproteinase jararhagin functions as a collagen-mimetic substrate that binds to and activates integrins. Given the homology between the metalloproteinase, disintegrin-like and cysteine-rich domains of jararhagin and those of the members of the ADAMs (a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase) family of proteins, this work demonstrates the potential of the disintegrin-like/cysteine-rich domains in the ADAMs as cellular signaling agents to elicit responses relevant to the biological function of these proteins.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMed2002

The presence of the WGD motif in CC8 heterodimeric disintegrin increases its inhibitory effect on alphaII(b)beta3, alpha(v)beta3, and alpha5beta1 integrins.

Two highly homologous dimeric disintegrins, CC5 and CC8, have been isolated from the venom of the North African sand viper Cerastes cerastes. CC5 is a homodimer containing an RGD motif in its subunits. CC8 is a heterodimer. The CC8A and CC8B subunits contain RGD and WGD tripeptide sequence in their respective integrin-binding loops. Both CC5 and CC8 inhibited platelet aggregation and the adhesion of cells expressing integrins alphaII(b)beta3, alpha(v)beta3, and alpha5beta1 to appropriate ligands. However, the inhibitory activity of CC8 was at least 1 order of magnitude higher than that of CC5. Enhanced activity of CC8 over CC5 was also observed in the induction of LIBS epitopes on beta1 and beta3 integrins. Synthetic peptides in which the arginyl residue of the RGD motif had been replaced with tryptophans exhibited increased inhibitory activity toward integrins alpha5beta1, alphaII(b)beta3, and alpha(v)beta3. Moreover, alanine substitution of the aspartic acid of the WGD motif of these peptides decreased their inhibitory ability, whereas the same substitution in the RGD sequence almost completely abolished the activity of the peptides. We conclude that the WGD motif enhances the inhibitory activity of disintegrins toward alphaII(b)beta3, alpha(v)beta3, and alpha5beta1 integrins.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed2002

Structural and functional analyses of DM43, a snake venom metalloproteinase inhibitor from Didelphis marsupialis serum.

DM43, an opossum serum protein inhibitor of snake venom metalloproteinases, has been completely sequenced, and its disulfide bond pattern has been experimentally determined. It shows homology to human alpha(1)B-glycoprotein, a plasma protein of unknown function and a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family. Size exclusion and dynamic laser light scattering data indicated that two monomers of DM43, each composed of three immunoglobulin-like domains, associated to form a homodimer in solution. Analysis of its glycan moiety showed the presence of N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, galactose, and sialic acid, most probably forming four biantennary N-linked chains. DM43 inhibited the fibrinogenolytic activities of bothrolysin and jararhagin and formed 1:1 stoichiometric stable complexes with both metalloproteinases. DM43 was ineffective against atrolysin C or A. No complex formation was detected between DM43 and jararhagin C, indicating the essential role of the metalloproteinase domain for interaction. Homology modeling based on the crystal structure of a killer cell inhibitory receptor suggested the existence of an I-type Ig fold, a hydrophobic dimerization surface and six surface loops potentially forming the metalloproteinase-binding surface on DM43.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Scorpion toxins from Tityus cambridgei that affect Na(+)-channels.

By means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) the soluble venom of the Amazonian scorpion Tityus cambridgei was fractionated into over 50 different components. Four toxic and/or lethal peptides to mice were obtained in pure form and sequenced. Mass spectrometry analysis showed molecular weights of 7310, 7151, 7259 and 7405, respectively, for toxins Tc48a, Tc49a, Tc54 and Tc49b. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was obtained for the three first toxins mentioned, whereas the full primary structure was determined for Tc49b. It contains 64 amino acid residues, closely packed by four disulfide bridges. Sequence comparison analysis showed similarities around 50% with other toxins from scorpions of the genus Tityus of Brazil. It is lethal to mice at doses of 20 microg per 20 g mouse. The toxin was shown to affect the Na(+)-currents permeability of rat cerebellum granular cells in culture. Almost a complete elimination of current was observed with 100 nM toxin concentration. This effect was partially reversible. Furthermore, this toxin does not modify the function of the Shaker B K(+)-channels expressed on Sf9 cells, nor does it modify the Na(+)-channel function in a similar manner as those reported for the alpha-scorpion toxins purified from other scorpions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Synthetic peptides of Goodpasture's antigen in antiglomerular basement membrane nephritis in rats.

Goodpasture's syndrome (GPS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by pulmonary hemorrhage, glomerulonephritis and anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies. The alpha(3) noncollagenous domain (NC1) of type IV collagen [alpha(3)(IV)] is the pathogen. The disease is T-cell-dependent; thus linear peptides initiate the autoimmune process. Studies in a rat model of GPS, experimental autoimmune glomerulonephritis (EAG), have shown that the carboxy-terminal 36 amino acids (purportedly the pathogenic epitope) are not responsible for disease induction. More recent studies implicate the amino terminus of alpha(3)(IV)NC1. Finding the nephritogenic epitope(s) is crucial in the understanding of the disease and for treatment. Because alpha(3)(IV)NC1 contains the antigens that induce GN in rats and human beings, we hypothesized that regions of the alpha(3)(IV)NC1 other than the carboxy terminus were responsible for disease. We investigated overlapping peptides spanning the entire NC1 domain of the alpha(3)(IV) chain N-terminal to the 36-mer (Goodpasture epitope) using the EAG rat model. Most peptides elicited antibody responses exclusively to themselves but not to native GBM. T-cells from GBM-immunized rats proliferated in vitro after stimulation with peptides 6, 8, 14, and 15, 24-mer and 23-mer. Fifteen percent of peptide 8 and peptide 14 rats had mild glomerulonephritis. In none of the animals immunized with other peptides did glomerulonephritis develop. These data suggest that conformation-dependent sites, posttranslational modification, multiple epitopes, concomitant antibody formation, or other disturbances are important in the ability of alpha(3)(IV)NC1 to induce EAG in rats and may also be important in the induction of GPS in human beings.

Amino Acid Sequence↗