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Venoms are a rich source of bioactive compounds, and among them is leberagin-C (Leb-C), a disintegrin-like protein derived from the venom of Macrovipera lebetina transmediterrannea snakes. Leb-C has shown promising inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation. Previous studies have demonstrated that this SECD protein specifically targets α5ß1, αvß3, and αvß6 integrins through a mimic mechanism of RGD disintegrins. In our current study, we focused on exploring the potential effects of Leb-C on metastatic breast cancer. Our findings revealed that Leb-C disrupted the adhesion, migration, and invasion capabilities of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and its highly metastatic D3H2LN sub-population. Additionally, we observed significant suppression of adhesion, migration, and invasion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, Leb-C demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on fibroblast-growth-factor-2-induced proliferation of HUVEC. We conducted in vivo experiments using nude mice and found that treatment with 2 µM of Leb-C resulted in a remarkable 73% reduction in D3H2LN xenograft tumor size. Additionally, quantification of intratumor microvessels revealed a 50% reduction in tumor angiogenesis in xenograft after 21 days of twice-weekly treatment with 2 µM of Leb-C. Collectively, these findings suggest the potential utility of this disintegrin-like protein for inhibiting aggressive and resistant metastatic breast cancer.

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Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) bear a high potential in terms of electrical conductivity and its potential applications. A locally resolved electrical measurement method for these anisotropic materials is a key prerequisite for understanding the structural and manufacturing process-related interrelationships. The aim of this paper is to develop a measurement method that allows this to be achieved and also to investigate areas of overmolded metal contact pins in detail. CFRP samples with polyamide 6 and polycarbonate matrices were used, which were produced by using a custom-designed injection mold. In order to evaluate the measurement results and to correlate them to process related structural properties, reflected light microscopy and X-ray microtomography were used. Typical areas with significant fiber structures of assembly injection molded samples were electrically and structurally characterized to identify correlations. Among further results, the correlation of equipotential lines, acquired from the electrical analysis, with specific fiber orientations within the injection molded samples was demonstrated, fiber-poor areas were identified, and a beneficial influence of weld lines on contact resistances was determined.

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Scorpion envenoming is a severe health problem in many regions causing significant clinical toxic effects and fatalities. In the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region, Buthidae scorpion stings are responsible for devastating toxic outcomes in human. The only available specific immunotherapeutic treatment is based on IgG fragments of animal origin. To overcome the limitations of classical immunotherapy, we have demonstrated the in vivo efficacy of NbF12-10 bispecific nanobody at preclinical level. Nanobodies were developed against BotI analogues belonging to a distinct structural and antigenic group of scorpion toxins, occurring in the MENA region. From Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom, BotI-like toxin was purified. The 41 N-terminal amino acid residues were sequenced, and the LD50 was estimated at 40 ng/mouse. The BotI-like toxin was used for dromedary immunization. An immune VHH library was constructed, and after screening, two nanobodies were selected with nanomolar and sub-nanomolar affinity and recognizing an overlapping epitope. NbBotI-01 was able to neutralize 50% of the lethal effect of 13 LD50 BotI-like toxins in mice when injected by i.c.v route, whereas NbBotI-17 neutralized 50% of the lethal effect of 7 LD50. Interestingly, NbBotI-01 completely reduced the lethal effect of the 2 LD50 of BotG50 when injected at 1:4 molar ratio excess. More interestingly, an equimolar mixture of NbBotI-01 with NbF12-10 neutralized completely the lethal effect of 7 and 5 LD50 of BotG50 or AahG50, at 1:4 and 1:2 molar ratio, respectively. Hence, NbBotI-01 and NbF12-10 display synergic effects, leading to a novel therapeutic candidate for treating Buthus occitanus scorpion stings in the MENA region.

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Kv3.1 channel is abundantly expressed in neurons and its dysfunction causes sleep loss, neurodegenerative diseases and depression. Fluoxetine, a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor commonly used to treat depression, acts also on Kv3.1. To define the relationship between Kv3.1 and serotonin receptors (SR) pharmacological modulation, we showed that 1C11, a serotonergic cell line, expresses different voltage gated potassium (VGK) channels subtypes in the presence (differentiated cells (1C11D)) or absence (not differentiated cells (1C11ND)) of induction. Only Kv1.2 and Kv3.1 transcripts increase even if the level of Kv3.1b transcripts is highest in 1C11D and, after fluoxetine, in 1C11ND but decreases in 1C11D. The Kv3.1 channel protein is expressed in 1C11ND and 1C11D but is enhanced by fluoxetine only in 1C11D. Whole cell measurements confirm that 1C11 cells express (VGK) currents, increasing sequentially as a function of cell development. Moreover, SR 5HT1b is highly expressed in 1C11D but fluoxetine increases the level of transcript in 1C11ND and significantly decreases it in 1C11D. Serotonin dosage shows that fluoxetine at 10 nM blocks serotonin reuptake in 1C11ND but slows down its release when cells are differentiated through a decrease of 5HT1b receptors density. We provide the first experimental evidence that 1C11 expresses Kv3.1b, which confirms its major role during differentiation. Cells respond to the fluoxetine effect by upregulating Kv3.1b expression. On the other hand, the possible relationship between the fluoxetine effect on the kinetics of 5HT1b differentiation and Kv3.1bexpression, would suggest the Kv3.1b channel as a target of an antidepressant drug as well as it was suggested for 5HT1b.

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Through the recent development of knowledge in biotechnology and bioinformatics, snake venoms are widely used to develop new drugs to treat diseases such as hypertension and cancer. We have previously reported that Lebetin 2 isolated from Macrovipera lebetina transmediterranea venom displays a potent anti-platelet activity and exerts a cardioprotective effect in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury model. Here, we report that Lebetin 2 possess an anti-tumor effect by targeting the integrin receptor function. It was thus able to inhibit both adhesion and migration of pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) and α1ß1 integrin-expressing CHO cells (CHO-α1) to type I and IV collagens. Moreover, this peptide affects proliferation of PC12 cells by modulating AKT phosphorylation. Furthermore, Lebetin 2 exhibits a potent anti-angiogenic effect as assessed in vitro and ex vivo, using both the embryo chick chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) and rat aortic ring assay. Interestingly, the interaction mode of Lebetin 2 with the integrin α1ß1, assessed in silico, showed that the peptide represents a steric obstruction preventing the collagen from enforcing the interactions with the integrin.

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Little is known about K+ regulation playing major roles in the propagation of nerve impulses, as well as in apoptosis and inflammasome activation involved in neurodegeneration. As increased levels of 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC) and tetracosanoic acid (C24:0) have been observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, we studied the effect of 24 and/or 48 h of treatment with 7KC, 24S-OHC and C24:0 on Kv3.1b potassium channel level, intracellular K+ concentration, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and plasma membrane permeability in 158N oligodendrocytes and BV-2 microglial cells. In 158N cells, whereas increased level of Kv3.1b was only observed with 7KC and 24S-OHC but not with C24:0 at 24 h, an intracellular accumulation of K+ was always detected. In BV-2 cells treated with 7KC, 24S-OHC and C24:0, Kv3.1b level was only increased at 48 h; intracellular K+ accumulation was found at 24 h with 7KC, 24S-OHC and C24:0, and only with C24:0 at 48 h. Positive correlations between Kv3.1b level and intracellular K+ concentration were observed in 158N cells in the presence of 7KC and 24S-OHC, and in 7KC-treated BV-2 cells at 48 h. Positive correlations were also found between Kv3.1b or the intracellular K+ concentration, overproduction of reactive oxygen species, loss of transmembrane mitochondrial potential and increased plasma membrane permeability in 158N and BV-2 cells. Our data support that the lipid environment affects Kv3.1b channel expression and/or functionality, and that the subsequent rupture of K+ homeostasis is relied with oligodendrocytes and microglial cells damages.

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BACKGROUND: There are now significant evidences that lipid metabolism is affected in numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. These dysfunctions lead to abnormal levels of certain lipids in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma. It is consequently of interest to establish lipid profiles in neurodegenerative diseases. This approach, which can contribute to identify lipid biomarkers of Alzheimers' disease, can also permit to identify new therapeutic targets. It was therefore of interest to focus on central and peripheral biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: A review of the literature on 148 papers was conducted. Based on this literature, the involvement of lipids (cholesterol and oxysterols, fatty acids, phospholipids) in Alzheimer's disease has been proposed. RESULTS: Of the 148 references cited for lipid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, 65 refer to cholesterol and oxysterols, 35 to fatty acids and 40 to phospholipids. Among these lipids, some of them such as 24S-hydroxyckolesterol, open up new therapeutic perspectives in gene therapy, in particular. The results on the very long-chain fatty acids suggest the potential of peroxisomal dysfunctions in Alzheimer's disease. As for the phospholipids, they could constitute interesting biomarkers for detecting the disease at the prodromal stage. CONCLUSION: There are now several lines of evidence that lipids play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of AD and that some of them have a prognostic and diagnosis value. This may pave the way for the identification of new therapeutic targets, new effective drugs and / or new treatments.

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Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are blood-sucking ectoparasites characterized by the extended period of their attachment to their host. To access their bloodmeal, ticks secrete saliva containing a range of molecules that target the host's inflammation, immune system, and hemostatic components. Some of these molecules reportedly possess antiangiogenic and antitumor properties. The present study describes our investigation, the first of its kind, of the antiangiogenic and antitumoral effects of the Hyalomma dromedarii Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae), salivary gland extract (SGE), which inhibited the adhesion and migration of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) in a dose-dependent manner, as well as angiogenesis in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane model. Interestingly, H. dromedarii SGE exerted an antiproliferative effect on U87 glioblastoma cells and inhibited their adhesion and migration to fibrinogen. These results open up new possibilities for characterizing and developing new molecules involved in the key steps of tumor progression.

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Imbalance in the homeostasis of K+ ions has been reported to contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC), and tetracosanoic acid (C24:0), often found at increased levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and X-ALD, are able to trigger numerous nerve cell dysfunctions. We therefore studied the impact of 7KC, 24S-OHC, and C24:0 on 158N murine oligodendrocytes, and determined their impact on K+ homeostasis. The effects of 7KC, 24S-OHC and C24:0 on lipid membrane organization and membrane potential were examined with merocyanine 540 (MC540) and bis-(1,3-diethylthiobarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol (DiSBAC2(3)), respectively. The intracellular concentration of K+ ([K+]i) was measured by flame photometry and the ratiometric approach using the PBFI-AM fluorescence indicator. To determine the relationships between [K+]i and lipotoxicity, 158N cells were pre-treated with a universal Kv channels blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), without or with 7KC, 24S-OHC or C24:0. Cell adhesion, cell growth, mitochondrial depolarization, cytoplasmic membrane integrity, the presence of SubG1 and the morphological aspect of the nuclei were determined with various microscopy, flow cytometry and biochemistry methods. 7KC, 24S-OHC and C24:0 induced changes in lipid content and polarization of the cytoplasmic membrane. These events were associated with increased [K+]i. Blocking Kv channels with 4-AP exacerbated 7KC-, 24S-OHC- and C24:0-induced cell dysfunction. 4-AP exacerbated loss of cell adhesion and cell growth inhibition, amplified mitochondrial depolarization and cytoplasmic membrane damage, and increased the percentage of SubG1 cells. The positive correlation between [K+]i and cell death supports the potential involvement of K+ in 7KC-, 24S-OHC-, and C24:0-induced cytotoxicity.

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In a previous study, we reported the identification of Hemilipin, the first secreted heterodimeric phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) from Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion venom and demonstrated its effective inhibition of all angiogenesis key steps in vitro and in vivo. Here, we aimed to characterize a second sPLA2, Hemilipin2, from the same venom and to elucidate its antiangiogenic effect. The protein was purified by chromatography separation and analyzed by MALDI/TOF mass spectrometry. Its N terminal amino acid sequence was determined by Edman degradation method and the enzymatic activity by fatty acids release assay. Hemilipin2 antiangiogenic activity was investigated by studying its effect in vitro on adhesion, migration and capillary like tube formation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) and Human Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells (HPAECs); and in vivo on the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Data to be presented show that Hemilipin2 is heterodimeric composed by two subunits: the large one has a molecular weight of 12,866 and the small one of 2461 a.m.u. It has a strong calcium-dependent PLA2 activity and impacts angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo without showing any cytotoxic or apoptotic signs. Its chemical modification with p-Bromophenacyl Bromide abolishes the enzymatic activity without affecting the antiangiogenic effect. Furthermore, it has been proved that Hemilipin2 small subunit was able to inhibit blood vessel formation both in vitro and in vivo. These findings may serve as a starting point for the designing of a new generation of specific inhibitor of human angiogenesis at different steps.

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Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels form cells repolarizing power and are commonly expressed in excitable cells. In non-excitable cells, Kv channels such as Kv2.1 are involved in cell differentiation and growth. Due to the involvement of Kv2.1 in several physiological processes, these channels are promising therapeutic targets. To develop Kv2.1 specific antibody-based channel modulators, we applied a novel approach and immunized a dromedary with heterologous Ltk- cells that overexpress the mouse Kv2.1 channel instead of immunizing with channel protein fragments. The advantage of this approach is that the channel is presented in its native tetrameric configuration. Using a Cell-ELISA, we demonstrated the ability of the immune serum to detect Kv2.1 channels on the surface of cells that express the channel. Then, using a Patch Clamp electrophysiology assay we explored the capability of the dromedary serum in modulating Kv2.1 currents. Cells that were incubated for 3h with serum taken at Day 51 from the start of the immunization displayed a statistically significant 2-fold reduction in current density compared to control conditions as well as cells incubated with serum from Day 0. Here we show that an immunization approach with cells overexpressing the Kv2.1 channel yields immune serum with Kv2.1 specific antibodies.

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The present study investigated the kinetic and interfacial properties of two secreted phospholipases isolated from Tunisian vipers'venoms: Cerastes cerastes (CC-PLA2) and Macrovipera lebetina transmediterranea (MVL-PLA2). Results show that these enzymes have great different abilities to bind and hydrolyse phospholipids. Using egg-yolk emulsions as substrate at pH 8, we found that MVL-PLA2 has a specific activity of 1473U/mg at 37°C in presence of 1mM CaCl2. Furthermore the interfacial kinetic and binding data indicate that MVL-PLA2 has a preference to the zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine monolayers (PC). Conversely, CC-PLA2 was found to be able to hydrolyse preferentially negatively charged head group phospholipids (PG and PS) and exhibits a specific activity 9 times more important (13333U/mg at 60°C in presence of 3mM CaCl2). Molecular models of both CC-PLA2 and MVL-PLA2 3D structures have been built and their electrostatic potentials surfaces have been calculated. A marked anisotropy of the overall electrostatic charge distribution leads to a significantly difference in the dipole moment intensity between the two enzymes explaining the great differences in catalytic and binding properties, which seems to be governed by the electrostatic and hydrophobic forces operative at the surface of the two phospholipases.

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Snake venom l-amino acid oxidases are multifunctional enzymes that exhibited a wide range of pharmacological activities. Although it has been established that these activities are primarily caused by the H2O2 generated in the enzymatic reaction, the molecular mechanism, however, has not been fully investigated. In this work, LAAO interaction with cytoplasmic membranes using different cell types and Langmuir interfacial monolayers was evaluated. The Cerastes cerastes venom LAAO (CC-LAAO) did not exhibit cytotoxic activities against erythrocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, CC-LAAO caused cytotoxicity on several cancer cell lines and induced platelet aggregation in dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the enzyme showed remarkable effect against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These activities were inhibited on the addition of catalase or substrate analogs, suggesting that H2O2 liberation× is required for these effects. Binding studies revealed that CC-LAAO binds to the cell surface and enables the production of highly localized concentration of H2O2 in or near the binding interfaces. On another hand, the interaction of CC-LAAO with a mimetic phospholipid film was evaluated, for the first time, using a monomolecular film technique. Results indicated that phospholipid/CC-LAAO interactions are not involved in their binding to membrane and in their pharmacological activities.

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Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are enzymes which specifically hydrolyze the sn-2 acyl ester bond of phospholipids producing free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. The secreted PLA2 (sPLA2) are the most common types of PLA2 purified from the snake venom, mammalian pancreatic juice and other sources. They display a variety of toxic actions and biological activities, including antitumoral and antiangiogenic effects. In this study, we report the isolation, characterization and the antiangiogenic activity of Hemilipin, a novel sPLA2 extracted from Hemiscorpius lepturus venom, the most dangerous scorpion in Iran. Hemilipin was purified by HPLC and analyzed by MALDI TOF/MS. The primary structure was determined by EDMAN degradation method and the PLA2 activity by titration of fatty acids released from the egg yolk phospholipids. Its antiangiogenic activity was studied in vitro by evaluating effects on apoptosis, Matrigel angiogenesis, migration and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) and in vivo by the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Mass spectrometry profile showed that Hemilipin is heterodimeric and the PLA2 test demonstrated its strong hydrolytic activity. N-terminal aminoacid sequence highlighted a significant homology of Hemilipin's small and large subunits with other sPLA2 group III. Hemilipin had no effect on apoptosis, but strongly impacted angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that this novel non toxic sPLA2 could be a new tool to disrupt at different steps human angiogenesis.

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Several ferrocenyl analogues of tamoxifen have already showed strong antiproliferative activity in experimental glioma models. Nevertheless, these compounds are very poorly soluble in water and an adapted formulation is needed. In this work, we have tailored and optimized methylated cyclodextrin soluble complexes of phthalimido-ferrocidiphenol for the first time. The complexes were characterized, and the optimized formulation was tested for in vitro efficacy and cell proliferation assays on U87, human glioblastoma cancer cells. Molecular modeling can provide accurate information about the inclusion process. The inclusion of all the moieties at the same time (i.e., ferrocene, phthalimidylpropyl, 2 phenols) is not possible due to the steric hindrance of the 1:4 system. The 1:3 systems are possible but do not seem very relevant. However, various 1:2 and 1:1 complexes are mostly present in aqueous solutions. Some experiments have confirmed our hypothesis. First, interactions between the phenol, phthalimidylpropyl and ferrocenyl groups have been observed in our NMR experiments. Second, the inclusion of phthalimidylpropyl was detected by UV-vis spectrophotometry with an apparent 1:1 interaction, which was observed through the Benesi-Hildebrand method. The complex is readily soluble in water and keeps its pharmacological activity against U87 tumor cells (IC50=0.028 ± 0.007 µM vs. 0.018 ± 0.003 µM for PhtFerr).

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We have purified the AaTX1 peptide from the Androctonus australis (Aa) scorpion venom, previously cloned and sequenced by Legros and collaborators in a venom gland cDNA library from Aa scorpion. AaTX1 belongs to the α-Ktx15 scorpion toxins family (αKTx15-4). Characterized members of this family share high sequence similarity and were found to block preferentially IA-type voltage-dependent K(+) currents in rat cerebellum granular cells in an irreversible way. In the current work, we studied the effects of native AaTX1 (nAaTX1) using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of IA current in substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons. At 250 nM, AaTX1 induces 90% decrease in IA current amplitude. Its activity was found to be comparable to that of rAmmTX3 (αKTx15-3), which differs by only one conserved (R/K) amino acid in the 19th position suggesting that the difference between R19 and K19 in AaTX1 and AmmTX3, respectively, may not be critical for the toxins' effects. Molecular docking of both toxins with Kv4.3 channel is in agreement with experimental data and suggests the implication of the functional dyade K27-Y36 in toxin-channel interactions. Since AaTX1 is not highly abundant in Aa venom, it was synthesized as well as AmmTX3. Synthetic peptides, native AaTX1 and rAmmTX3 peptides showed qualitatively the same pharmacological activity. Overall, these data identify a new biologically active toxin that belongs to a family of peptides active on Kv4.3 channel.

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Development and homeostasis of the vascular system requires integrin-promoting endothelial cell adhesion, migration and survival. Nowadays, integrins represent potential targets for pharmacological agents and open new avenues for the control of metastatic spread in the treatment of tumor malignancies. We have already reported that PIVL, a serine protease inhibitor isolated from Macrovipera lebetina venom, displays an anti-tumor effect through interference with integrin receptor function. Here, we report that PIVL inhibits human vascular endothelial cell adhesion and migration onto fibrinogen and fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we show that PIVL increases microtubule dynamic instability in HMEC-1 transfected with EGFP-tagged α-tubulin. Using Matrigel™ and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays, we demonstrate that PIVL exhibits a strong anti-angiogenic effect both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, results herein reveal that the potent anti-angiogenic properties of PIVL are mediated by its RGD-like motif ((41)RGN(43)).

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A new L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) from Cerastes cerastes snake venom, named CC-LAAO, was purified to homogeneity using a combination of size-exclusion, ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. CC-LAAO is a homodimeric glycosylated flavoprotein with a molecular mass around 58 kDa under reducing conditions and about 115 kDa in its native form when analyzed by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration chromatography, respectively. This enzyme displayed a Michaelis-Menten behavior with an optimal pH at 7.8. However, unlike known SV-LAAOs which display their maximum activity at 37 °C, CC-LAAO has an optimal temperature at 50 °C. Kinetic studies showed that the enzyme displayed high specificity towards hydrophobic L-amino acids. The best substrates were L-Phe, L-Met and L-Leu. CC-LAAO activity was inhibited by the substrate analog N-acetyl tryptophan. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein was determined by automated Edman degradation. The CC-LAAO cDNA was cloned from the venom gland total RNA preparation. The cDNA sequence contained an open-reading frame (ORF) of 1551-bp, which encoded a protein of 516 amino acids comprising a signal peptide of 18 amino acids and 498-residues mature protein. CC-LAAO sequence and its tertiary model shared high similarity with other snake venom LAAOs.

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C-type lectins like proteins display various biological activities and are known to affect especially platelet aggregation. Few of them have been reported to have anti-tumor effects. In this study, we have identified and characterized a new C-type lectin like protein, named lebecin. Lebecin is a heterodimeric protein of 30 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of both subunits were determined by Edman degradation and the entire amino acid sequences were deduced from cDNAs. The precursors of both lebecin subunits contain a 23-amino acid residue signal peptide and the mature α and ß subunits are composed of 129 and 131 amino acids, respectively. Lebecin is shown to be a potent inhibitor of MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cells proliferation. Furthermore, lebecin dose-dependently inhibited the integrin-mediated attachment of these cells to different adhesion substrata. This novel C-type lectin also completely blocked MDA-MB231 cells migration towards fibronectin and fibrinogen in haptotaxis assays.

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AahG50, the toxic fraction of Androctonus australis hector venom, was studied on human Kv3.1 channels activation, stably expressed in Xenopus oocytes using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. AahG50 reduced Kv3.1 currents in a reversible concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value and a Hill coefficient of 40.4 ± 0.2 µg/ml and 1.3 ± 0.05, respectively. AahG50 inhibited IKv3.1 without modifying the current activation kinetics. The AahG50-induced inhibition of Kv3.1 channels was voltage-dependent, with a gradual increase at lower concentrations and over the voltage range of channels opening. However, at higher concentrations, the inhibition exhibited voltage dependence only in the first range of channels opening from -20 to +10 mV, but demonstrates a low degree of voltage-dependence when channels are fully activated. In the literature, toxins have previously been isolated from AahG50, KAaH1 and KAaH2 and were reported not to have any effect on IKv3.1. The present article's findings suggest that AahG50 may contain a peptidic component active on Kv3.1 channels, which inhibits IKv3.1 in a selective manner.

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