Toxicological insights of Spike fragments SARS-CoV-2 by exposure environment: A threat to aquatic health?

Author(s):Show less -

Charlie-Silva, Ives ^[1] ; Araujo, Amanda P. C. ^{[2, 3, 4]} ; Guimaraes, Abraao T. B. ^{[2, 3, 4]} ; Veras, Flavio P. ^[5] ; Braz, Helyson L. B. ^[6] ; Pontes, Leticia G. de ^[7] ; Jorge, Roberta J. B. ^{[8, 9]} ; Belo, Marco A. A. ^{[10, 11]} ; Fernandes, Bianca H. V. ^[12] ; Nobrega, Rafael H. ^[13] ; Galdino, Giovane ^[14] ; Condino-Neto, Antonio ^[7] ; Galindo-Villegas, Jorge ^[15] ; Machado-Santelli, Glaucia M. ^[16] ; Sanches, Paulo R. S. ^[17] ; Rezende, Rafael M. ^[18] ; Cilli, Eduardo M. ^[17] ; Malafaia, Guilherme ^{[2, 3, 4]}

Affiliation:Show less -

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Pharmacol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Goias, Postgrad Program Biotechnol & Biodivers, Goias - Brazil

^[3] Goiano Fed Inst, Goias - Brazil

^[4] Goiano Fed Inst, Postgrad Program Conservat Cerrado Nat Resources, Biol Res Lab, Urata Campus, Goias - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Ctr Res Inflammatory Dis, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[6] Univ Fed Ceara, Sch Med, Dept Morphol, Postgrad Program Morphol Sci, Delmiro Farias St, BR-60 43017 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Immunol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[8] Univ Fed Ceara, Sch Med, Dept Physiol & Pharmacol, Coronel Nunes Melo St, 1127, BR-6043027 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[9] Univ Fed Ceara, Drug Res & Dev Ctr, Coronel Nunes Melo St, 1000, BR-6043027 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[10] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Prevent Vet Med, Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[11] Brazil Univ, Lab Anim Pharmacol & Toxicol, Descalvado, SP - Brazil

^[12] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Diretoria Tecnica Apoio Ensino & Pesquisa, Lab Controle Genet & Sanit, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[13] Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Reprod & Mol Biol Grp, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[14] Univ Fed Alfenas, Inst Motr Sci, Alfenas, MG - Brazil

^[15] Nord Univ, Fac Biosci & Aquaculture, N-8049 Bodo - Norway

^[16] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Cell Biol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[17] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Chem, Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[18] Brigham & Womens Hosp, Harvard Med Sch, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; v. 419, OCT 5 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

The Spike protein (S protein) is a critical component in the infection of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this work was to evaluate whether peptides from S protein could cause negative impact in the aquatic animals. The aquatic toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein peptides derivatives has been evaluated in tadpoles (n = 50 tadpoles/5 replicates of 10 animals) from species Physalaemus cuvieri (Leptodactylidae). After synthesis, purification, and characterization of peptides (PSDP2001, PSDP2002, PSDP2003) an aquatic contamination has been simulated with these peptides during 24 h of exposure in two concentrations (100 and 500 ng/mL). The control group ({''}C{''}) was composed of tadpoles kept in polyethylene containers containing dechlorinated water. Oxidative stress, antioxidant biomarkers and AChE activity were assessed. In both concentrations, PSPD2002 and PSPD2003 increased catalase and superoxide dismutase antioxidants enzymes activities, as well as oxidative stress (nitrite levels, hydrogen peroxide and reactive oxygen species). All three peptides also increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the highest concentration. These peptides showed molecular interactions in silico with acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes. Aquatic particle contamination of SARS-CoV-2 has cholinesterasic effect in P. cuvieri tadpoles. These findings indicate that the COVID-19 can constitute environmental impact or biological damage potential. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/05761-3 - Study of the action of synthetic peptides as antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and combined evaluation with commercial anti-inflammatories
• Grantee: Eduardo Maffud Cilli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants