Dados do Trabalho

Título

From Transcripts to Venom: Investigating Enzymatic Activities, Biological Properties, and Systemic Manifestations of Ectatomma opaciventre Ant Envenoming

Introdução

The ant’s venoms have been investigated in a relatively small number of species, being one of the least explored groups in drugs discovery. Omics sciences can be useful for understanding venom composition, revealing complex cocktails of bioactive compounds.

Objetivo (s)

We describe the first transcriptome from Ectatomma opaciventre (Eo) ant venom gland, crude venom characterization in vitro and a general overview of the toxic effects of Eo envenoming in vivo.

Material e Métodos

The mRNA library of Eo was sequenced using Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Phospholipase, L-amino acid oxidase, hyaluronidase, thrombolytic, azocaseinolytic activities and inhibition of platelet aggregation were performed according to literature. Regarding functional properties, cytotoxicity assay on bacterias, parasites, tumor and non-tumorigenic cells. Eo envenoming effects were evaluated by protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, genotoxicity/mutagenicity, cell viability and ROS by flow cytometry analyses with raw blood after 6h inoculation of Eo venom in C57/BL6 mice (CEUA 044/19).

Resultados e Conclusão

RNA-seq of Eo venom gland generated 55,131,904 reads. The de novo assembly produced 23,939 entries that were found hit the NCBI-nr database. From this amount, 4.22% identified as enzymef, 43.13% of them have domain in Pfam platform, 71.13% entries were mapped Gene Ontology and 21.94% has no hit. Transcripts taxonomic distribution showed identities with 29 species of ants, 26 snakes, 9 wasps, 8 bees, 3 spiders and 1 anemone. The enzymatic activity of the major venom proteins. Eo venom was highly cytotoxic to bacterias, parasites and tumor cells, without toxicity to control cells. In vivo approach confirmed no toxicology effects on animals. However, an unexpected antioxidant action was observed in the raw blood after the Eo envenoming. It is the first time the toxic systemic effects of an ant envenoming were evaluated. This a pioneer study in identifying new peptides and proteins in the Eo venom gland revealing that this specie represents a new source of potential biopharmacological tools.

Palavras-chave

Ectatomma opaciventre, ant venom, transcriptome, enzymes, envenoming, toxins.

Agradecimentos

UFU, UVV, UFES, HCB, CNPq, CAPES, FAPEMIG, FAPESP, INCT-TeraNano