Diversity of peptidic and proteinaceous toxins from social Hymenoptera venoms

Author(s)

Aparecido dos Santos-Pinto, Jose Roberto ^[1] ; Perez-Riverol, Amilcar ^[1] ; Musacchio Lasa, Alexis ^[2] ; Palma, Mario Sergio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Biosci Inst Rio Claro, Biol Dept, Social Insect Study Ctr, BR-13500 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Ctr Genet Engn & Biotechnol, Biomed Res Div, Syst Biol Dept, Ave 31, E-158 & 190, POB 6162, Havana 10600 - Cuba

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Toxicon; v. 148, p. 172-196, JUN 15 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Among venomous animals, Hymenoptera have been suggested as a rich source of natural toxins. Due to their broad ecological diversity, venom from Hymenoptera insects (bees, wasps and ants) have evolved differentially thus widening the types and biological functions of their components. To date, insect toxinology analysis have scarcely uncovered the complex composition of bee, wasp and ant venoms which include low molecular weight compounds, highly abundant peptides and proteins, including several allergens. In Hymenoptera, these complex mixtures of toxins represent a potent arsenal of biological weapons that are used for self-defense, to repel intruders and to capture prey. Consequently, Hymenoptera venom components have a broad range of pharmacological targets and have been extensively studied, as promising sources of new drugs and biopesticides. In addition, the identification and molecular characterization of Hymenoptera venom allergens have allowed for the rational design of component-resolved diagnosis of allergy, finally improving the outcome of venom immunotherapy (VIT). Until recently, a limited number of Hymenoptera venoms had been unveiled due to the technical limitations of the approaches used to date. Nevertheless, the application of novel techniques with high dynamic range has significantly increased the number of identified peptidic and proteinaceous toxins. Considering this, the present review summarizes the current knowledge about the most representative Hymenoptera venom peptides and proteins which are under study for a better understanding of the insect-caused envenoming process and the development of new drugs and biopesticides. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/16212-5 - Natural proteopeptides from the Brazilian fauna, flora and microbiota as potential models for the rational development of new drugs of therapeutic use: isolation, structure elucidation, chemical synthesis and functional activity assays
• Grantee: Mario Sergio Palma
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/22405-3 - IDENTIFICATION AND SYNTHESIS OF PEPTIDES CORRESPONDING TO B-CELL LINEAR EPITOPES IN ALLERGENS FROM VENOM OF SOCIAL HYMENOPTERA: DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPLIES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IMMUNOTHERAPY OF ALLERGY
• Grantee: Amilcar Perez Riverol
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral