Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Chemical Society
Résumé : Ants have evolved venoms rich in peptides and proteins used for predation, defense, and communication. However, they remain extremely understudied due to the minimal amount of venom secreted by each ant. The present study investigated the differences in the proteome and peptidome of the venom from the bullet ant, Paraponera clavata. Venom samples were collected from a single colony either by manual venom gland dissection or by electrical stimulation and were compared using proteomic methods. Venom proteins were separated by 2D-PAGE and identified by nanoLC-ESI-QTOF MS/MS. Venom peptides were initially separated using C18 reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, then analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. The proteomic analysis revealed numerous proteins that could be assigned a biological function (total 94), mainly as toxins, or roles in cell regulation and transport. This investigation found that ca. 73% of the proteins were common to venoms collected by the two methods. The peptidomic analysis revealed a large number of peptides (total 309) but with <20% shared by the two collection methods. There was also a marked difference between venoms obtained by venom gland dissection from different ant colonies. These findings demonstrate the rich composition and variability of P. clavata venom.
ISSN: 1535-3893

hal-01603415
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01603415
DOI : 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00948
PRODINRA : 406775
PUBMED : 28118015

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : Remerciements :- Dr. Jacques Delabie- Andrea Yockey-Dejean- Geoff Brown- Jean-Pierre Andrieu
Background: Most ant venoms consist predominantly of small linear peptides, although some contain disulfide linked peptides as minor components. However, in striking contrast to other ant species, some Anochetus venoms are composed primarily of disulfide-rich peptides. In this study, we investigated the venom of the ant Anochetus emarginatus with the aim of exploring these novel disulfide-rich peptides.Methods: The venom peptidome was initially investigated using a combination of reversed-phase HPLC and mass spectrometry, then the amino acid sequences of the major peptides were determined using a combination of Edman degradation and de novo MS/MS sequencing. We focused on one of these peptides, U-1-PONTX-Ae1a (Ae1a), because of its novel sequence, which we predicted would form a novel 3D fold. Ae1a was chemically synthesized using Fmoc chemistry and its 3D structure was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy. The peptide was then tested for insecticidal activity and its effect on a range of human ion channels.Results: Seven peptides named poneritoxins (PONTXs) were isolated and sequenced. The three-dimensional structure of synthetic Ae1a revealed a novel, compact scaffold in which a C-terminal beta-hairpin is connected to the N-terminal region via two disulfide bonds. Synthetic Ae1a reversibly paralyzed blowflies and inhibited human L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (Ca(v)1).Conclusions: Poneritoxins from Anochetus emarginatus venom are a novel class of toxins that are structurally unique among animal venoms.General significance: This study demonstrates that Anochetus ant venoms are a rich source of novel ion channel modulating peptides, some of which might be useful leads for the development of biopesticides.
ISSN: 0304-4165

hal-01511987
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01511987
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01511987/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01511987/file/2016_Touchard_Biochimica_Biophysica_%7B4B3BE6A3-AE83-4C6E-B678-BBFB5CC84AF7%7D.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.07.027