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Zhang J, Li S, Qi Y, Shen J, Leng A, Qu J. Animal-derived peptides from Traditional Chinese medicines: medicinal potential, mechanisms, and prospects. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2025; 349:119872. [PMID: 40334760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.119872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2025] [Accepted: 04/22/2025] [Indexed: 05/09/2025]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Animal-derived traditional Chinese medicines have a long-standing history in Chinese medicine, which exhibit unique efficacy due to similar structure and function with human tissue. As the major types of constituents that accounted for a relatively high proportion of animal-derived TCMs, peptides with molecular weight between 100 Da and hundreds of thousands of kDa have caught wide attention due to their outstanding bioavailability and excellent specificity. AIM OF THE STUDY This review aims to comprehensively delve into the up-to-date research progress in their pharmacology, mechanism, sequence composition, and therapeutic application, laying a solid foundation for future clinical treatment and scientific research. MATERIALS AND METHODS Relevant information on the peptides from animal-derived TCMs was collected from scientific literature databases including PubMed, CNKI, literature sources (Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations), and Web of Science by using the keywords "Peptides", "Animal", and "TCMs" for gradual screening in the past 30 years. RESULTS To date, the peptides from 27 kinds of animal-derived TCMs have been systematically combed. Their pharmacological activity and underlying mechanisms on multiple systems (nervous, circulatory, skeletal, and immune), as well as anti-tumor, antioxidative, and antimicrobial effects, have been sorted out. Besides, the potential safety issues and deficiencies (low bioavailability, imperfect quality management, and toxicity of raw materials) have also been pointed out. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive analysis showed that low development and resource waste accompanied by the inadequate report about the pharmacological activity of most peptides from animal-derived TCMs make it have good research prospects. Although a breakthrough in the field of healthcare products has been made, the development potential for clinical products that bring surprising turnaround will be obtained if the above-mentioned confusions and current needs (improve identification technology and design reasonable dosage forms) are implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, No. 9, South Road of Lvshun, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Siyi Li
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China; Institute (College) of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, No. 9, South Road of Lvshun, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Yueyi Qi
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China; Institute (College) of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, No. 9, South Road of Lvshun, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Jieyu Shen
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, No. 9, South Road of Lvshun, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Aijing Leng
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China.
| | - Jialin Qu
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, No. 9, South Road of Lvshun, Dalian, 116044, China.
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Lee YS, Lee YJ, Ha IH. Therapeutic Potential of Scolopendra subspinipes: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Its Bioactive Compounds, Preclinical Pharmacology, and Clinical Applications. Toxins (Basel) 2025; 17:229. [PMID: 40423312 DOI: 10.3390/toxins17050229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2025] [Revised: 04/26/2025] [Accepted: 05/02/2025] [Indexed: 05/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Scolopendra subspinipes, commonly known as the Chinese red-headed centipede, has been utilized in traditional East Asian medicine for centuries to treat conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, convulsions, and infections. Recent pharmacological investigations have uncovered a wide array of bioactive molecules-including peptides, alkaloids, and polysaccharide-protein complexes-from both venom and whole-body extracts. This review synthesizes findings from 45 in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies investigating the pharmacological effects of venom-derived and whole-body-derived compounds from S. subspinipes across multiple domains, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, antitumor, antithrombotic, anti-fibrotic, and neuroprotective activities, along with a brief scoping review of clinical practice guidelines. Key venom-derived compounds such as the peptide SsmTX-I, immunomodulatory antimicrobial peptide scolopendrasin IX, and antitumor peptide scolopentide exhibit strong mechanistic rationale and preclinical efficacy, positioning them as lead candidates for clinical development. Compounds derived from whole-body extracts, including alkaloids and polysaccharide-protein complexes, also demonstrate promising therapeutic potential. Mechanistic studies suggest these compounds operate via distinct pathways-such as ion-channel inhibition, NF-κB suppression, and apoptosis induction-offering potential advantages over existing therapies. However, current evidence remains primarily preclinical, and challenges such as extract variability, immunogenicity, and lack of standardized dosing must be addressed. Future research should prioritize isolation and structural optimization of key peptides, standardized formulation development, toxicological profiling, and early-phase human trials. The integration of traditional knowledge and modern pharmacological insights underscores the potential of venom- and whole-body-derived S. subspinipes agents to enrich the drug discovery, particularly for conditions with unmet therapeutic needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Seul Lee
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul 06110, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Jae Lee
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul 06110, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Hyuk Ha
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul 06110, Republic of Korea
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Hu YX, Liu Z, Zhang Z, Deng Z, Huang Z, Feng T, Zhou QH, Mei S, Yi C, Zhou Q, Zeng PH, Pei G, Tian S, Tian XF. Antihepatoma peptide, scolopentide, derived from the centipede scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:1875-1898. [PMID: 37032730 PMCID: PMC10080696 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i12.1875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centipedes have been used to treat tumors for hundreds of years in China. However, current studies focus on antimicrobial and anticoagulation agents rather than tumors. The molecular identities of antihepatoma bioactive components in centipedes have not yet been extensively investigated. It is a challenge to isolate and characterize the effective components of centipedes due to limited peptide purification technologies for animal-derived medicines.
AIM To purify, characterize, and synthesize the bioactive components with the strongest antihepatoma activity from centipedes and determine the antihepatoma mechanism.
METHODS An antihepatoma peptide (scolopentide) was isolated and identified from the centipede scolopendra subspinipes mutilans using a combination of enzymatic hydrolysis, a Sephadex G-25 column, and two steps of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, the CCK8 assay was used to select the extracted fraction with the strongest antihepatoma activity. The molecular weight of the extracted scolopentide was characterized by quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (QTOF MS), and the sequence was matched by using the Mascot search engine. Based on the sequence and molecular weight, scolopentide was synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis methods. The synthetic scolopentide was confirmed by MS and HPLC. The antineoplastic effect of extracted scolopentide was confirmed by CCK8 assay and morphological changes again in vitro. The antihepatoma effect of synthetic scolopentide was assessed by the CCK8 assay and Hoechst staining in vitro and tumor volume and tumor weight in vivo. In the tumor xenograft experiments, qualified model mice (male 5-week-old BALB/c nude mice) were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 6): The scolopentide group (0.15 mL/d, via intraperitoneal injection of synthetic scolopentide, 500 mg/kg/d) and the vehicle group (0.15 mL/d, via intraperitoneal injection of normal saline). The mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation after 14 d of continuous treatment. Mechanistically, flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells after treatment with extracted scolopentide in vitro. A Hoechst staining assay was also used to observe apoptosis in HepG2 cells after treatment with synthetic scolopentide in vitro. CCK8 assays and morphological changes were used to compare the cytotoxicity of synthetic scolopentide to liver cancer cells and normal liver cells in vitro. Molecular docking was performed to clarify whether scolopentide tightly bound to death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5. qRT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of DR4, DR5, fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), Caspase-8, Caspase-3, cytochrome c (Cyto-C), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), x-chromosome linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein and Cellular fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1β converting enzyme inhibitory protein in hepatocarcinoma subcutaneous xenograft tumors from mice. Western blot assays were used to measure the protein expression of DR4, DR5, FADD, Caspase-8, Caspase-3, and Cyto-C in the tumor tissues. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) of tumor tissues were tested.
RESULTS In the process of purification, characterization and synthesis of scolopentide, the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions (extract ratio: 5.86%, IC50: 0.310 mg/mL) were as follows: Trypsin at 0.1 g (300 U/g, centipede-trypsin ratio of 20:1), enzymolysis temperature of 46 °C, and enzymolysis time of 4 h, which was superior to freeze-thawing with liquid nitrogen (IC50: 3.07 mg/mL). A peptide with the strongest antihepatoma activity (scolopentide) was further purified through a Sephadex G-25 column (obtained A2) and two steps of HPLC (obtained B5 and C3). The molecular weight of the extracted scolopentide was 1018.997 Da, and the peptide sequence was RAQNHYCK, as characterized by QTOF MS and Mascot. Scolopentide was synthesized in vitro with a qualified molecular weight (1018.8 Da) and purity (98.014%), which was characterized by MS and HPLC. Extracted scolopentide still had an antineoplastic effect in vitro, which inhibited the proliferation of Eca-109 (IC50: 76.27 μg/mL), HepG2 (IC50: 22.06 μg/mL), and A549 (IC50: 35.13 μg/mL) cells, especially HepG2 cells. Synthetic scolopentide inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells (treated 6, 12, and 24 h) in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro, and the inhibitory effects were the strongest at 12 h (IC50: 208.11 μg/mL). Synthetic scolopentide also inhibited the tumor volume (Vehicle vs Scolopentide, P = 0.0003) and weight (Vehicle vs Scolopentide, P = 0.0022) in the tumor xenograft experiment. Mechanistically, flow cytometry suggested that the apoptosis ratios of HepG2 cells after treatment with extracted scolopentide were 5.01% (0 μg/mL), 12.13% (10 μg/mL), 16.52% (20 μg/mL), and 23.20% (40 μg/mL). Hoechst staining revealed apoptosis in HepG2 cells after treatment with synthetic scolopentide in vitro. The CCK8 assay and morphological changes indicated that synthetic scolopentide was cytotoxic and was significantly stronger in HepG2 cells than in L02 cells. Molecular docking suggested that scolopentide tightly bound to DR4 and DR5, and the binding free energies were-10.4 kcal/mol and-7.1 kcal/mol, respectively. In subcutaneous xenograft tumors from mice, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting suggested that scolopentide activated DR4 and DR5 and induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 Liver cancer cells by promoting the expression of FADD, caspase-8 and caspase-3 through a mitochondria-independent pathway.
CONCLUSION Scolopentide, an antihepatoma peptide purified from centipedes, may inspire new antihepatoma agents. Scolopentide activates DR4 and DR5 and induces apoptosis in liver cancer cells through a mitochondria-independent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xing Hu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Formulas and Zheng of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Department of Scientific Research, Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Scientific Research, Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhe Deng
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Province University Key Laboratory of Oncology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Ting Feng
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qing-Hong Zhou
- Department of Pediatric, Shenzhen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Si Mei
- Department of Physiology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chun Yi
- Department of Pathology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Department of Andrology, First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China
| | - Pu-Hua Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Gang Pei
- College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Sha Tian
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Dr Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Xue-Fei Tian
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Formulas and Zheng of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
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Han Y, Kamau PM, Lai R, Luo L. Bioactive Peptides and Proteins from Centipede Venoms. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27144423. [PMID: 35889297 PMCID: PMC9325314 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Venoms are a complex cocktail of biologically active molecules, including peptides, proteins, polyamide, and enzymes widely produced by venomous organisms. Through long-term evolution, venomous animals have evolved highly specific and diversified peptides and proteins targeting key physiological elements, including the nervous, blood, and muscular systems. Centipedes are typical venomous arthropods that rely on their toxins primarily for predation and defense. Although centipede bites are frequently reported, the composition and effect of centipede venoms are far from known. With the development of molecular biology and structural biology, the research on centipede venoms, especially peptides and proteins, has been deepened. Therefore, we summarize partial progress on the exploration of the bioactive peptides and proteins in centipede venoms and their potential value in pharmacological research and new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
- Correspondence: (R.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Lei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Center, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Center, and Engineering Laboratory of Peptides, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650107, China; (Y.H.); (P.M.K.)
- Correspondence: (R.L.); (L.L.)
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Fischer T, Riedl R. Paracelsus' legacy in the faunal realm: Drugs deriving from animal toxins. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:567-575. [PMID: 34678490 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Given the vast number of venomous and poisonous animals, it is surprising that only relatively few animal-derived toxins have been explored and made their way into marketed drugs or are being investigated in ongoing clinical trials. In this review, we highlight marketed drugs deriving from animal toxins as well as ongoing clinical trials and preclinical investigations in the field. We emphasize that more attention should be paid to the rich supply of candidates that nature provides as valuable starting points for addressing serious unmet medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Fischer
- Center of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Riedl
- Center of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland.
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Harvesting of Antimicrobial Peptides from Insect (Hermetia illucens) and Its Applications in the Food Packaging. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11156991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
About one-third of the total food produced is wasted, rising the concern to adopt proper management. Simultaneously with the increase in population, demand for food is increasing which may lead to scarcity. Adequate packaging is one of the ways to avoid deterioration of food and prevent wastage. In recent years, active packaging has attained interest due to its commendable results in food preservation. Several studies proved that the embodiment of antimicrobial components into the packaging material has the ability to prevent microbial contamination. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are newly discovered antimicrobial agents for impregnation into packaging material. Among various sources for AMP, insects have shown great resistivity against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. Insects feed on substances consisting of a varying range of contaminations, which often results in infections. Insects synthesise AMPs to fight such infections and survive in that atmosphere. The disease-causing agents in humans are the same as those found in insects. Hence, AMPs extracted from insects have the potential to fight the microorganisms that act as hazards to human health. This review highlights the harvesting and synthesis of AMPs from Hermetia illucens, which is a promising source for AMP and its applications in the food packaging industry.
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Jenner RA, von Reumont BM, Campbell LI, Undheim EAB. Parallel Evolution of Complex Centipede Venoms Revealed by Comparative Proteotranscriptomic Analyses. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 36:2748-2763. [PMID: 31396628 PMCID: PMC6878950 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Centipedes are among the most ancient groups of venomous predatory arthropods. Extant species belong to five orders, but our understanding of the composition and evolution of centipede venoms is based almost exclusively on one order, Scolopendromorpha. To gain a broader and less biased understanding we performed a comparative proteotranscriptomic analysis of centipede venoms from all five orders, including the first venom profiles for the orders Lithobiomorpha, Craterostigmomorpha, and Geophilomorpha. Our results reveal an astonishing structural diversity of venom components, with 93 phylogenetically distinct protein and peptide families. Proteomically-annotated gene trees of these putative toxin families show that centipede venom composition is highly dynamic across macroevolutionary timescales, with numerous gene duplications as well as functional recruitments and losses of toxin gene families. Strikingly, not a single family is found in the venoms of representatives of all five orders, with 67 families being unique for single orders. Ancestral state reconstructions reveal that centipede venom originated as a simple cocktail comprising just four toxin families, with very little compositional evolution happening during the approximately 50 My before the living orders had diverged. Venom complexity then increased in parallel within the orders, with scolopendromorphs evolving particularly complex venoms. Our results show that even venoms composed of toxins evolving under the strong constraint of negative selection can have striking evolutionary plasticity on the compositional level. We show that the functional recruitments and losses of toxin families that shape centipede venom arsenals are not concentrated early in their evolutionary history, but happen frequently throughout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A Jenner
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bjoern M von Reumont
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Animal Venomics, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lahcen I Campbell
- The European Molecular Biology Laboratory, The European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Eivind A B Undheim
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
- Centre for Ecology and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Ali SM, Khan NA, Sagathevan K, Anwar A, Siddiqui R. Biologically active metabolite(s) from haemolymph of red-headed centipede Scolopendra subspinipes possess broad spectrum antibacterial activity. AMB Express 2019; 9:95. [PMID: 31254123 PMCID: PMC6598926 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-019-0816-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of novel antimicrobials from animal species under pollution is an area untapped. Chinese red-headed centipede is one of the hardiest arthropod species commonly known for its therapeutic value in traditional Chinese medicine. Here we determined the antibacterial activity of haemolymph and tissue extracts of red-headed centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Lysates exhibited potent antibacterial activities against a broad range of bacteria tested. Chemical characterization of biologically active molecules was determined via liquid chromatography mass spectrometric analysis. From crude haemolymph extract, 12 compounds were identified including: (1) L-Homotyrosine, (2) 8-Acetoxy-4-acoren-3-one, (3) N-Undecylbenzenesulfonic acid, (4) 2-Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, (5) 3H-1,2-Dithiole-3-thione, (6) Acetylenedicarboxylate, (7) Albuterol, (8) Tetradecylamine, (9) Curcumenol, (10) 3-Butylidene-7-hydroxyphthalide, (11) Oleoyl Ethanolamide and (12) Docosanedioic acid. Antimicrobial activities of the identified compounds were reported against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, that possibly explain centipede's survival in harsh and polluted environments. Further research in characterization, molecular mechanism of action and in vivo testing of active molecules is needed for the development of novel antibacterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salwa Mansur Ali
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Naveed Ahmed Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Malaysia
| | - K. Sagathevan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Malaysia
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Meyer-Rochow VB. Therapeutic arthropods and other, largely terrestrial, folk-medicinally important invertebrates: a comparative survey and review. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2017; 13:9. [PMID: 28173820 PMCID: PMC5296966 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-017-0136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Traditional healing methods involving hundreds of insect and other invertebrate species are reviewed. Some of the uses are based on the tenet of "similia similibus" (let likes be cured by likes), but not all non-conventional health promoting practices should be dismissed as superstition or wishful thinking, for they have stood the test of time. Two questions are addressed: how can totally different organ systems in a human possibly benefit from extracts, potions, powders, secretions, ashes, etc. of a single species and how can different target organs, e.g. bronchi, lungs, the urinary bladder, kidneys, etc. apparently respond to a range of taxonomically not even closely related species? Even though therapeutically used invertebrates are generally small, they nevertheless possess organs for specific functions, e.g. digestion, gas exchange, reproduction. They have a nervous system, endocrine glands, a heart and muscle tissue and they contain a multitude of different molecules like metabolites, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, secretions, etc. that have come under increased scientific scrutiny for pharmacological properties. Bearing that in mind it seems likely that a single species prepared and used in different ways could have a multitude of uses. But how, for example, can there be remedies for breathing and other problems, involving earthworms, molluscs, termites, beetles, cockroaches, bugs, and dragonflies? Since invertebrates themselves can suffer from infections and cancers, common defence reactions are likely to have evolved in all invertebrates, which is why it would be far more surprising to find that each species had evolved its own unique disease fighting system. To obtain a more comprehensive picture, however, we still need information on folk medicinal uses of insects and other invertebrates from a wider range of regions and ethnic groups, but this task is hampered by western-based medicines becoming increasingly dominant and traditional healers being unable and sometimes even unwilling to transmit their knowledge to the younger generation. However, collecting and uncontrolled uses of therapeutic invertebrates can put undue pressure on certain highly sought after species and this is something that has to be borne in mind as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Benno Meyer-Rochow
- Department of Genetics and Physiology, Oulu University, Oulu, SF-90140, Finland.
- Research Institute of Luminous Organisms, Hachijo, Nakanogo, Hachijojima, Tokyo, 100-1623, Japan.
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