RESUMO
Mannose/glucose-binding lectin from Canavalia ensiformis seeds (Concanavalin A - ConA) has several biological applications, such as mitogenic and antitumor activity. However, most of the mechanisms involved in the in vivo toxicity of ConA are not well known. In this study, the Drosophila melanogaster model was used to assess the toxicity and genotoxicity of different concentrations of native ConA (4.4, 17.5 and 70 µg/mL) in inhibited and denatured forms of ConA. The data show that native ConA affected: the survival, in the order of 30.6 %, and the locomotor performance of the flies; reduced cell viability to levels below 50 % (4.4 and 17.5 µg/mL); reduced nitric oxide levels; caused lipid peroxidation and increased protein and non-protein thiol content. In the Comet assay, native ConA (17.5 e 70 µg/mL) caused DNA damage higher than 50 %. In contrast, treatments with inhibited and denatured ConA did not affect oxidative stress markers and did not cause DNA damage. We believe that protein-carbohydrate interactions between ConA and carbohydrates of the plasma membrane are probably the major events involved in these activities, suggesting that native ConA activates mechanisms that induce oxidative stress and consequently DNA damage.
Assuntos
Canavalia , Drosophila melanogaster , Animais , Canavalia/química , Drosophila melanogaster/metabolismo , Concanavalina A/química , Dano ao DNA , Estresse OxidativoRESUMO
A glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis because of its invasiveness and high resistance to current therapies. In GBMs, abnormal glycosylation patterns are associated with malignancy, which allows for the use of lectins as tools for recognition and therapy. More specifically, lectins can interact with glycan structures found on the malignant cell surface. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate the antiglioma potential of ConGF, a lectin purified from Canavalia grandiflora seeds, against C6 cells. The treatment of C6 cells with ConGF impaired the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, reduced cell viability, and induced morphological changes. ConGF also induced massive autophagy, as evaluated by acridine orange (AO) staining and LC3AB-II expression, but without prominent propidium iodide (PI) labeling. The mechanism of action appears to involve the carbohydrate-binding capacity of ConGF, and in silico studies suggested that the lectin can interact with the glycan structures of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), a prominent protein found in malignant cells, likely explaining the observed effects.
Assuntos
Canavalia , Fabaceae , Canavalia/química , Fabaceae/química , Lectinas/química , Metaloproteinase 1 da Matriz , Propídio , Laranja de Acridina , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Sementes/química , Carboidratos/análiseRESUMO
Lectins isolated from Canavalia ensiformis (ConA) and Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) are promising molecules to prevent cell death. Acute pancreatitis, characterized by acinar cell necrosis and inflammation, presents significant morbidity and mortality. This study has investigated the effects of ConA and ConBr in experimental acute pancreatitis and pancreatic acinar cell death induced by bile acid. Pancreatitis was induced by retrograde pancreatic ductal injection of 3% sodium taurocholate (Na-TC) in male Swiss mice. ConA or ConBr (0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg) were intravenously applied to mice 1 h and 12 h after induction. After 24 h, the severity of pancreatitis was evaluated by serum amylase and lipase, histopathological changes and myeloperoxidase assay. Pancreatic acinar cells were incubated with ConA (200 µg/ml) or ConBr (200 µg/ml) and taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate (TLCS; 500 µM). Necrosis and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔÑ°m) were detected by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Treatment (post-insult) with ConA and ConBr decreased pancreatic damage caused by retrograde injection of Na-TC in mice, reducing pancreatic neutrophil infiltration, edema and necrosis. In addition, ConA and ConBr decreased pancreatic acinar cell necrosis and depolarization of ΔÑ°m caused by TLCS. The inhibition of necrosis was prevented by the lectin domain blockade. In conclusion, ConA and ConBr markedly inhibited in vitro and in vivo damage, effects partly dependent on the interaction with mannose residues on acinar cells. These data support the potential application of these proteins for treatment of acute pancreatitis.
Assuntos
Canavalia , Pancreatite , Doença Aguda , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios , Canavalia/química , Lectinas/farmacologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Necrose/tratamento farmacológico , Pancreatite/induzido quimicamente , Pancreatite/tratamento farmacológico , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Sementes/químicaRESUMO
Ureases are microbial virulence factors either because of the enzymatic release of ammonia or due to many other non-enzymatic effects. Here we studied two neurotoxic urease isoforms, Canatoxin (CNTX) and Jack Bean Urease (JBU), produced by the plant Canavalia ensiformis, whose mechanisms of action remain elusive. The neurotoxins provoke convulsions in rodents (LD50 â¼2 mg/kg) and stimulate exocytosis in cell models, affecting intracellular calcium levels. Here, electrophysiological and brain imaging techniques were applied to elucidate their mode of action. While systemic administration of the toxins causes tonic-clonic seizures in rodents, JBU injected into rat hippocampus induced spike-wave discharges similar to absence-like seizures. JBU reduced the amplitude of compound action potential from mouse sciatic nerve in a tetrodotoxin-insensitive manner. Hippocampal slices from CNTX-injected animals or slices treated in vitro with JBU failed to induce long term potentiation upon tetanic stimulation. Rat cortical synaptosomes treated with JBU released L-glutamate. JBU increased the intracellular calcium levels and spontaneous firing rate in rat hippocampus neurons. MicroPET scans of CNTX-injected rats revealed increased [18]Fluoro-deoxyglucose uptake in epileptogenesis-related areas like hippocampus and thalamus. Curiously, CNTX did not affect voltage-gated sodium, calcium or potassium channels currents, neither did it interfere on cholinergic receptors, suggesting an indirect mode of action that could be related to the ureases' membrane-disturbing properties. Understanding the neurotoxic mode of action of C. ensiformis ureases could help to unveil the so far underappreciated relevance of these toxins in diseases caused by urease-producing microorganisms, in which the human central nervous system is affected.
Assuntos
Canavalia/química , Síndromes Neurotóxicas/etiologia , Proteínas de Plantas/toxicidade , Toxinas Biológicas/toxicidade , Urease/toxicidade , Animais , Convulsivantes/isolamento & purificação , Convulsivantes/toxicidade , Feminino , Masculino , Camundongos , Sistema Nervoso/efeitos dos fármacos , Sistema Nervoso/patologia , Síndromes Neurotóxicas/fisiopatologia , Proteínas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Toxinas Biológicas/isolamento & purificação , Urease/isolamento & purificação , Xenopus laevisRESUMO
Lectins are defined as proteins or glycoproteins capable of specific and reversible binding to carbohydrates. Inside this group of proteins, the most well-studied lectins belong to the Leguminosae family, and inside this family, the Diocleinae subtribe includes the most characterized lectin Concanavalin A (ConA), as well as ConBr, the lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis, the subject of this review. Since 1979, several studies have been published in the literature regarding this lectin, from its isolation and characterization to its several biological activities. This year, 2019, will mark 40 years since researchers have begun to study ConBr and 100 years since the discovery of ConA, making 2019 a momentous year for lectinology. Owing to the abundance of studies involving ConBr, this review will focus on ConBr's purification, physicochemical properties, functional and structural analyses, biological activities and biotechnological applications. This will give researchers a broad glimpse into the potential of this lectin, as well as it characteristics, as we look ahead to its expanding applications in glycomics and biotechnology.
Assuntos
Canavalia/química , Lectinas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , Sementes/química , Animais , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Concanavalina A/metabolismo , Humanos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Modelos Moleculares , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Ligação Proteica , Conformação ProteicaRESUMO
Haemonchus contortus is one of the most economically important parasites infecting small ruminants worldwide. This nematode has shown a great ability to develop resistance to anthelmintic drugs, calling for the development of alternative control approaches. Because lectins recognize and bind to specific carbohydrates and glycan structures present in parasites, they can be considered as an alternative to develop new antiparasitic drugs. Accordingly, this work aimed to investigate the anthelmintic effect of Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) lectin against H. contortus and to evaluate a possible interaction of ConBr with glycans of this parasite by molecular docking. ConBr showed significant inhibition of H. contortus larval development with an IC50 of 0.26 mg mL-1. Molecular docking assays revealed that glycans containing the core trimannoside [Man(α1-3)Man(α1-6)Man] of H. contortus interact in the carbohydrate recognition domain of ConBr with an interaction value of MDS = -248.77. Our findings suggest that the inhibition of H. contortus larval development is directly related to the recognition of the core trimannoside present in the glycans of these parasites. This work is the first to report on the structure-function relationships of the anthelmintic activity of plant lectins.
Assuntos
Anti-Helmínticos/química , Anti-Helmínticos/metabolismo , Haemonchus/efeitos dos fármacos , Manosídeos/metabolismo , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Lectinas de Plantas/metabolismo , Animais , Anti-Helmínticos/isolamento & purificação , Sítios de Ligação , Canavalia/química , Haemonchus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Larva/efeitos dos fármacos , Larva/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Lectinas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , Ligação ProteicaRESUMO
Plant lectins have been studied owing to their structural properties and biological effects that include agglutinating activity, antidepressant-like effect and antitumor property. The results from this work showed the effects of the lectin extracted from the Dioclea violacea plant (DVL) on the C6 rat glioma cell line. DVL treatment was able to induce caspase-3 activation, apoptotic cell death and cellular membrane damage. Furthermore, DVL decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the number of acidic vesicles and cleavage of LC3, indicating activation of autophagic processes. DVL also significantly inhibited cell migration. Compared to ConA, a well-studied lectin extracted from Canavalia ensiformes seeds, some effects of DVL were more potent, including decreasing C6 glioma cell viability and migration ability. Taken together, the results suggest that DVL can induce glioma cell death, autophagy and inhibition of cell migration, displaying potential anti-glioma activity.
Assuntos
Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Dioclea/química , Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuroglia/efeitos dos fármacos , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Animais , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Apoptose/genética , Autofagia/genética , Canavalia/química , Caspase 3/genética , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Ciclo Celular/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/ultraestrutura , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Concanavalina A/isolamento & purificação , Concanavalina A/farmacologia , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas Associadas aos Microtúbulos/genética , Proteínas Associadas aos Microtúbulos/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Neuroglia/metabolismo , Neuroglia/patologia , Lectinas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , RatosRESUMO
With important carbohydrate binding properties, lectins are proteins able to decipher the glycocode, and as such, they can be used in bioassays involving cell-cell communication, protein targeting, inflammation, and hypernociception, among others. In this study, a new glucose/mannose-specific lectin from Canavalia villosa seeds (Cvill) was isolated by a single affinity chromatography step in a Sephadex® G-50 column, with a purification yield of 19.35mg of lectin per gram of powdered seed. Analysis of intact protein by mass spectrometry showed the lectin is composed of three polypeptide chains, including a 25.6kDa α chain, 12.9KDa ß, and 12.6 KDa γ fragments, similar to the profile of ConA-like glucose/mannose-specific lectins. Partial sequence of the protein was obtained by MS-MALDI TOF/TOF covering 41.7% of its primary structure. Cvill presented sugar specificity to d-glucose, α-methyl-d-mannoside, d-mannose, and glycoproteins fetuin and ovoalbumin. The lectin characterization showed that Cvill presents high stability within a broad range of pH and temperature, also showing average toxicity against Artemia nauplii. The proinflammatory effect of Cvill was observed by induction of paw edema and hypernociception in mice, with the participation of the carbohydrate binding site, showing its potential to be used as tool in inflammation studies.
Assuntos
Analgésicos/farmacologia , Canavalia/química , Glucose/metabolismo , Lectinas de Ligação a Manose/farmacologia , Manose/metabolismo , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Sementes/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Analgésicos/química , Analgésicos/metabolismo , Analgésicos/uso terapêutico , Animais , Artemia/efeitos dos fármacos , Edema/tratamento farmacológico , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Lectinas de Ligação a Manose/química , Lectinas de Ligação a Manose/metabolismo , Lectinas de Ligação a Manose/uso terapêutico , Camundongos , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Lectinas de Plantas/metabolismo , Lectinas de Plantas/uso terapêutico , TemperaturaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although the entomotoxicity of plant ureases has been reported almost 20 years ago, their insecticidal mechanism of action is still not well understood. Jaburetox is a recombinant peptide derived from one of the isoforms of Canavalia ensiformis (Jack Bean) urease that presents biotechnological interest since it is toxic to insects of different orders. Previous studies of our group using the Chagas disease vector and model insect Rhodnius prolixus showed that the treatment with Jack Bean Urease (JBU) led to hemocyte aggregation and hemolymph darkening, among other effects. In this work, we employed cell biology and biochemical approaches to investigate whether Jaburetox would induce not only cellular but also humoral immune responses in this species. RESULTS: The findings indicated that nanomolar doses of Jaburetox triggered cation-dependent, in vitro aggregation of hemocytes of fifth-instar nymphs and adults. The use of specific eicosanoid synthesis inhibitors revealed that the cellular immune response required cyclooxygenase products since indomethacin prevented the Jaburetox-dependent aggregation whereas baicalein and esculetin (inhibitors of the lipoxygenases pathway) did not. Cultured hemocytes incubated with Jaburetox for 24 h showed cytoskeleton disorganization, chromatin condensation and were positive for activated caspase 3, an apoptosis marker, although their phagocytic activity remained unchanged. Finally, in vivo treatments by injection of Jaburetox induced both a cellular response, as observed by hemocyte aggregation, and a humoral response, as seen by the increase of spontaneous phenoloxidase activity, a key enzyme involved in melanization and defense. On the other hand, the humoral response elicited by Jaburetox injections did not lead to an increment of antibacterial or lysozyme activities. Jaburetox injections also impaired the clearance of the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus from the hemolymph leading to increased mortality, indicating a possible immunosuppression induced by treatment with the peptide. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental conditions and as part of its toxic action, Jaburetox activates some responses of the immune system of R. prolixus both in vivo and in vitro, although this induction does not protect the insects against posterior bacterial infections. Taken together, these findings contribute to the general knowledge of insect immunity and shed light on Jaburetox's mechanism of action.
Assuntos
Canavalia/química , Inseticidas/farmacologia , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Proteínas de Plantas/farmacologia , Rhodnius/efeitos dos fármacos , Urease/farmacologia , Animais , Hemócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Hemócitos/imunologia , Hemócitos/microbiologia , Hemolinfa/efeitos dos fármacos , Hemolinfa/imunologia , Hemolinfa/microbiologia , Imunidade Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunidade Humoral/efeitos dos fármacos , Inseticidas/química , Peptídeos/química , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Rhodnius/imunologia , Rhodnius/microbiologia , Staphylococcus aureus/fisiologia , Urease/químicaRESUMO
The effects of different thermal (raw, autoclaving or boiling for 5 and 20min) and soaking (with or without) treatments on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of protein were investigated for selected legumes (Canavalia brasiliensis; Lablab purpureus; pink, red and white colour hulls Vigna unguiculata). Each legume preparation underwent in vitro simulated gastrointestinal tract digestion comprising either pepsin (120min) or pepsin/pancreatin (120/240min) digestion. The DH was determined based on the amount of free amino groups released. Autoclaving for 5min increased the pepsin/pancreatin DH for all the unsoaked and soaked legumes (+20% to 46% units) except Canavalia, while boiling for 5min only increased DH for two soaked legumes (+12% to 28% units). Extending boiling from 5 to 20min increased the DH for three soaked legumes (+5% to 29% units). In conclusion, autoclaving, in general, extensively increased the sequential pepsin/pancreatin DH, while boiling only increased it for selected legumes.
Assuntos
Fabaceae/química , Nitrogênio/química , Pancreatina/química , Pepsina A/química , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Amônia/química , Animais , Canavalia/química , Digestão , Enzimas/química , Temperatura Alta , Hidrólise , Suínos , Verduras/químicaRESUMO
Among the technologies used to recuperate cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils, phytoextraction are particularly important, where the selection of suitable plants is critical to the success of the soil remediation. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the responses of jack-bean and sorghum to Cd supply and to quantify Cd accumulation by these species grown in hydroponic culture. The plants were subjected to 0, 15, 30, or 60 µmol Cd L(-1) in the nutrient solution, and gas exchange, plant growth and Cd accumulation were measured at 25 days after starting Cd treatments. The Cd supply severely reduced growth of shoots and roots in both species. In jack-bean, Cd decreased photosynthesis by 56-86%, stomatal conductance by 59-85% and transpiration by 48-80%. The concentrations and amounts of Cd accumulated in the plant tissues were proportional to the metal supply in the nutrient solution. Sorghum was more tolerant than jack-bean to Cd toxicity, but the latter showed a greater metal concentration and accumulation in the shoot. Therefore, jack-bean would be more suitable than sorghum for use in Cd phytoremediation programs based on phytoextraction.
Assuntos
Cádmio/metabolismo , Canavalia/metabolismo , Recuperação e Remediação Ambiental/métodos , Sorghum/metabolismo , Biodegradação Ambiental , Cádmio/análise , Canavalia/química , Recuperação e Remediação Ambiental/instrumentação , Hidroponia , Sorghum/químicaRESUMO
In the central nervous system, many receptors, ion channels and neurotransmitter transporters are glycoproteins, where the glycan chains are modulator elements. Lectins are proteins, which recognize and bind carbohydrate complexes. We have previously shown that ConBr, a lectin purified from Canavalia brasiliensis seeds, produced antidepressant-like effect and blocked hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by quinolinic acid and glutamate. Noteworthy, all these effects occurred in a dependence of its carbohydrate recognition domain. Therefore, the present study was undertaken in order to elucidate intracellular signaling pathways regulated by ConBr that may be potentially associated with the antidepressant and neuroprotective effects previously reported to be dependent on carbohydrate interaction. ConBr (10 µg/site) was injected into the ventricle (i.c.v.) of mice, and the hippocampi were removed 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h after treatment. Our results showed that in the period of 0.5-3 h, ConBr induced activation of the protein kinases Akt, ERK1, and PKA. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of CREB-Ser133 was stimulated by ConBr (1-6 h), while brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA was increased at 12 h and BDNF protein at 18-24 h. Our data suggest that an early activation of protein kinases may trigger CREB-dependent BDNF transcription, resulting in a subsequent increase of BDNF protein in response to ConBr. Later, increment of Akt phosphorylation was observed 24 h after ConBr administration, possibly due to BDNF/TrkB-dependent activation of Akt. Our findings indicate that ConBr is a multifunctional molecule capable to activate signaling pathways involved in neuroplasticity and neuroprotection.
Assuntos
Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Encéfalo/genética , Canavalia/química , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Sementes/química , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Encéfalo/metabolismo , Proteína de Ligação ao Elemento de Resposta ao AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , MAP Quinases Reguladas por Sinal Extracelular/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicosilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipocampo/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Injeções Intraventriculares , Masculino , Camundongos , Modelos Biológicos , Fosforilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Plant lectins, especially those purified from species of the Leguminosae family, represent the best-studied group of carbohydrate-binding proteins. Lectins purified from seeds of the Diocleinae subtribe exhibit a high degree of sequence identity notwithstanding that they show very distinct biological activities. Two main factors have been related to this feature: variance in key residues influencing the carbohydrate-binding site geometry and differences in the pH-dependent oligomeric state profile. In this work, we have isolated a lectin from Canavalia boliviana (Cbol) and solved its x-ray crystal structure in the unbound form and in complex with the carbohydrates Man(α1-3)Man(α1-O)Me, Man(α1-4)Man(α1-O)Me and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-α-D-mannose. We evaluated its oligomerization profile at different pH values using Small Angle X-ray Scattering and compared it to that of Concanavalin A. Based on predicted pKa-shifts of amino acids in the subunit interfaces we devised a model for the dimer-tetramer equilibrium phenomena of these proteins. Additionally, we demonstrated Cbol anti-inflammatory properties and further characterized them using in vivo and in vitro models.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Canavalia/química , Edema/tratamento farmacológico , Manosídeos/química , Peritonite/tratamento farmacológico , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Sementes/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sítios de Ligação , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Quimiotaxia/efeitos dos fármacos , Cristalografia por Raios X , Edema/induzido quimicamente , Manosídeos/metabolismo , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Neutrófilos/citologia , Neutrófilos/efeitos dos fármacos , Peritonite/induzido quimicamente , Conformação Proteica , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização por ElectrosprayRESUMO
Ureases catalyze the hydrolysis of urea into NH3 and CO2. They are synthesized by plants, fungi and bacteria but not by animals. Ureases display biological activities unrelated to their enzymatic activity, i.e., platelet and neutrophil activation, fungus inhibition and insecticidal effect. Urease from Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean) is toxic to several hemipteran and coleopteran insects. Jaburetox is an insecticidal fragment derived from jack bean urease. Among other effects, Jaburetox has been shown to interact with lipid vesicles. In this work, the ion channel activity of C. ensiformis urease, Jaburetox and three deletion mutants of Jaburetox (one lacking the N-terminal region, one lacking the C-terminal region and one missing the central ß-hairpin) were tested on planar lipid bilayers. All proteins formed well resolved, highly cation-selective channels exhibiting two conducting states whose conductance ranges were 7-18pS and 32-79pS, respectively. Urease and the N-terminal mutant of Jaburetox were more active at negative potentials, while the channels of the other peptides did not display voltage-dependence. This is the first direct demonstration of the capacity of C. ensiformis urease and Jaburetox to permeabilize membranes through an ion channel-based mechanism, which may be a crucial step of their diverse biological activities, including host defense.
Assuntos
Canavalia/metabolismo , Inseticidas/metabolismo , Canais Iônicos/metabolismo , Bicamadas Lipídicas/metabolismo , Peptídeos/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Urease/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Canavalia/química , Canavalia/genética , Permeabilidade da Membrana Celular , Inseticidas/química , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Deleção de Sequência , Urease/química , Urease/genéticaRESUMO
A novel mannose/glucose-binding lectin from Canavalia virosa (designated as ConV) has been purified from seeds of C. virosa by affinity chromatography on a mannose-Sepharose 4B column. ConV strongly agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes and was inhibited by monosaccharides (D-mannose, D-glucose, and α-methyl-D-mannoside) and glycoproteins (ovalbumin and fetuin). SDS-PAGE revealed three bands corresponding to three subunits (α, ß, and γ) confirmed by ESI mass spectrometry with exact mass of 25,480 ± 2 Da, 12,864 ± 1 Da, and 12,633 ± 1 Da, respectively. The purified lectin was more stable in pH ranging from 7.0 to 9.0, supported up to 80 ºC without any loss in activity and unaffected by EDTA. ConV showed no toxicity against Artemia sp. nauplii and relaxed endothelized rat aorta, with the participation of the lectin domain. In our tests, the lectin immobilized on CNBr-Sepharose was capable of binding 0.8 mg of ovalbumin per chromatography, allowing the use of ConV as a tool for capture and purification of glycoproteins.
Assuntos
Canavalia/química , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Lectinas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , Sementes/química , Vasodilatadores/química , Vasodilatadores/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Aorta/efeitos dos fármacos , Aorta/fisiopatologia , Artemia/efeitos dos fármacos , Cromatografia de Afinidade , Glucose/metabolismo , Hemaglutinação , Manose/metabolismo , Lectinas de Plantas/metabolismo , Estabilidade Proteica , Coelhos , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Vasodilatadores/metabolismoRESUMO
Recent studies have shown that lectins are promising tools for use in various biotechnological processes, as well as studies of various pathological mechanisms, isolation, and characterization of glycoconjugates and understanding the mechanisms underlying pathological mechanisms conditions, including the inflammatory response. This study aimed to purify, characterize physicochemically, and predict the biological activity of Canavalia oxyphylla lectin (CoxyL) in vitro and in vivo. CoxyL was purified by a single-step affinity chromatography in Sephadex® G-50 column. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the pure lectin consists of a major band of 30 kDa (α-chain) and two minor components (ß-chain and γ-chain) of 16 and 13 kDa, respectively. These data were further confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, suggesting that CoxyL is a typical ConA-like lectin. In comparison with the average molecular mass of α-chain, the partial amino acid sequence obtained corresponds to approximately 45% of the total CoxyL sequence. CoxyL presented hemagglutinating activity that was specifically inhibited by monosaccharides (D-glucose, D-mannose, and α-methyl-D-mannoside) and glycoproteins (ovalbumin and fetuin). Moreover, CoxyL was shown to be thermostable, exhibiting full hemagglutinating activity up to 60°C, and it was pH-sensitive for 1 h, exhibiting maximal activity at pH 7.0. CoxyL caused toxicity to Artemia nauplii and induced paw edema in rats. This biological activity highlights the importance of lectins as important tools to better understand the mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses.
Assuntos
Canavalia/química , Lectinas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , Subunidades Proteicas/isolamento & purificação , Sementes/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Artemia/efeitos dos fármacos , Artemia/fisiologia , Cromatografia de Afinidade , Dextranos , Edema/induzido quimicamente , Edema/imunologia , Edema/patologia , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Fetuínas/química , Hemaglutinação/efeitos dos fármacos , Membro Posterior , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Inflamação/induzido quimicamente , Inflamação/imunologia , Inflamação/patologia , Masculino , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Peso Molecular , Monossacarídeos/química , Ovalbumina/química , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Estabilidade Proteica , Subunidades Proteicas/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
The excitotoxicity induced by excessive activation of the glutamatergic neurotransmission pathway is involved in several neuropathologies. In this sense, molecules that prevent the release of glutamate or the excessive activation of its receptors can be useful in preventing the neuronal cell death observed in these diseases. Lectins are proteins capable of reversible binding to the carbohydrates in glycoconjugates, and some have been used in the study and purification of glutamate receptors. ConBr is a mannose/glucose-binding lectin purified from Canavalia brasiliensis seeds. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective activity of ConBr against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Hippocampal slices were isolated from adult male mice and incubated for 6h in Krebs saline/DMEM buffer alone (control), in the presence of glutamate or glutamate plus ConBr. The phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as ERK1/2, p38(MAPK) and JNK1/2/3 was evaluated with western blotting. The results indicate that glutamate provoked a reduction in the hippocampal slice viability (-25%), diminished the phosphorylation of Akt and augmented p38(MAPK) and ERK1 phosphorylation. No changes were observed in the phosphorylation of JNK1/2/3 or ERK2. Notably, ConBr, through a mechanism dependent on carbohydrate interaction, prevented the reduction of cell viability and Akt phosphorylation induced by glutamate. Furthermore, in the presence of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, ConBr was unable to reverse glutamate neurotoxicity. Taken together, our data suggest that the neuroprotective effect of ConBr against glutamate neurotoxicity requires oligosaccharide interaction and is dependent on the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Assuntos
Canavalia/química , Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitatórios , Ácido Glutâmico/toxicidade , Hipocampo/efeitos dos fármacos , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Proteína Oncogênica v-akt/fisiologia , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinases/fisiologia , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Western Blotting , Metabolismo dos Carboidratos/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Cromonas/farmacologia , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Hipocampo/patologia , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , Camundongos , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por Mitógeno/fisiologia , Morfolinas/farmacologia , Fosforilação , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Lectinas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , Sais de Tetrazólio , TiazóisRESUMO
The objective of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of a lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) when administered orally to murine models of chemical and thermal nociception. ConBr up to 100 mg/kg produced significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive effects: 81% reduction in abdominal writhing induced by 0.6% acetic acid; 26 and 52% reduction in early- and late-stage paw licking, respectively, induced by 2.5% formalin; and 155% increase in reaction latency (heightened thermal pain threshold). In all models, the antinociceptive effect was reversed by the lectin-binding carbohydrate α-d-methyl-mannoside and by the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone. The antinociceptive effect observed in the formalin test was inhibited by the δ-selective antagonist naltrindole and the κ-selective antagonist nor-binaltorphimine but not by the µ-selective antagonist cyprodime. In conclusion, when administered orally to Swiss mice, the ConBr lectin displayed antinociceptive activity, both peripheral and central, mediated by the opioid system and involving δ-and κ-receptors and the lectin domain.
Assuntos
Analgésicos Opioides/farmacologia , Analgésicos/farmacologia , Canavalia/química , Nociceptividade/efeitos dos fármacos , Lectinas de Plantas/farmacologia , Administração Oral , Analgésicos/isolamento & purificação , Analgésicos Opioides/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Camundongos , Morfinanos/farmacologia , Naloxona/farmacologia , Naltrexona/análogos & derivados , Naltrexona/farmacologia , Medição da Dor/métodos , Lectinas de Plantas/química , Lectinas de Plantas/isolamento & purificação , Receptores Opioides delta/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptores Opioides kappa/antagonistas & inibidores , Sementes/químicaRESUMO
Ureases (EC 3.5.1.5) are metalloenzymes that hydrolyze urea into ammonia and CO(2). These proteins have insecticidal and fungicidal effects not related to their enzymatic activity. The insecticidal activity of urease is mostly dependent on the release of internal peptides after hydrolysis by insect digestive cathepsins. Jaburetox is a recombinant version of one of these peptides, expressed in Escherichia coli. The antifungal activity of ureases in filamentous fungi occurs at submicromolar doses, with damage to the cell membranes. Here we evaluated the toxic effect of Canavalia ensiformis urease (JBU) on different yeast species and carried out studies aiming to identify antifungal domain(s) of JBU. Data showed that toxicity of JBU varied according to the genus and species of yeasts, causing inhibition of proliferation, induction of morphological alterations with formation of pseudohyphae, changes in the transport of H(+) and carbohydrate metabolism, and permeabilization of membranes, which eventually lead to cell death. Hydrolysis of JBU with papain resulted in fungitoxic peptides (~10 kDa), which analyzed by mass spectrometry, revealed the presence of a fragment containing the N-terminal sequence of the entomotoxic peptide Jaburetox. Tests with Jaburetox on yeasts and filamentous fungi indicated a fungitoxic activity similar to ureases. Plant ureases, such as JBU, and its derived peptides, may represent a new alternative to control medically important mycoses as well as phytopathogenic fungi, especially considering their potent activity in the range of 10(-6)-10(-7)M.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Canavalia/química , Proteínas de Plantas/farmacologia , Urease/farmacologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Metabolismo dos Carboidratos/efeitos dos fármacos , Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Permeabilidade da Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Fungos/efeitos dos fármacos , Glucose/metabolismo , Hidrólise , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Papaína/química , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/química , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/farmacologia , Proteínas de Plantas/química , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Urease/química , Leveduras/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The antiproliferative activity of lectins Canavalia ensiformis (ConA) and Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr) were studied using human leukemia MOLT-4 and HL-60 cell lines. It was revealed that both ConA and ConBr were markedly cytotoxic to cells using MTT and NAC assays. The IC(50) values were approximately 3 and 20 µg/mL for ConA and ConBr, respectively, for both MOLT-4 and HL-60 cells. However, in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes, the lectins were not cytotoxic, even when tested at concentrations as high as 200 µg/ml. Using comet assay, the lectins produced a rate of DNA damage exceeding 80% in MOLT-4 and HL-60 cells. Fluorescence analysis revealed the morphology characteristic of apoptosis, with low concentrations of apoptotic bodies and fragmented DNA (5 µg/ml). Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 cell cycle that is characteristic of DNA fragmentation, and a decrease in membrane integrity at high concentrations. Lastly, we evaluated the alterations in mitochondrial potential that reduced after treatment with lectins. Our results indicate that ConA and ConBr inhibited cell proliferation selectively in tumor cells and that apoptosis was the main death mechanism. Therefore, lectins can be considered a class of molecules with a high antitumor activity potential.