Comparative Toxic Effects of the Venoms from Three Wasp Species of the Genus Polybia (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Agelaia-MPI and protonectin are antimicrobial peptides isolated from the wasp Parachartergus fraternus that show antimicrobial and neuroactive activities. Previously, two analogues of these peptides, neuroVAL and protonectin-F, were designed to reduce nonspecific toxicity and improve potency. Here, the threedimensional structures of neuroVAL, protonectin and protonectin-F were determined by using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and hemolytic activities were tested for the parent peptides and analogues. All peptides showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with agelaia-MPI being the most active. Protonectin and protonectin-F were found to be toxic to cancerous and noncancerous cell lines. Internalization experiments revealed that these peptides accumulate inside both cell types. By contrast, neuroVAL was nontoxic to all tested cells and was able to enter cells without accumulating. In summary, neuroVAL has potential as a nontoxic cell-penetrating peptide, while protonectin-F needs further modification to realize its potential as an antitumor peptide.

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Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus

Muller

Lawrence

Chan

et al. 2021

ChemBioChem

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Pharmacological Characterization of Mouse Hind Paw Edema Induced by Parachartergus fraternus Venom

et al. 2019

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Pharmacological characterization of Synoeca cyanea venom: An aggressive social wasp widely distributed in the Neotropical region

Mortari

Couto

Anjos

et al. 2012

Toxicon

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The venom of social wasps has been poorly studied so far, despite the high number of accidents in humans and assessment of the use of these wasps as a biological control of pests. The study of the pharmacological effects of the venom is of great importance since the poisoning is dangerous causing serious systemic effects, including death in the case of multiple attacks. In this study, the pharmacological activities of venom from the social wasp Synoeca cyanea were evaluated by the following assays: LD50 in mice, the behavioural effects and the hemorrhagic activity induced by the venom in mice, the oedematogenic activity in rat, the haemolysis in human blood, the stimulating effect on guinea-pig smooth muscle, and the antimicrobial activity. The aim was to determine the toxic effects of venom and to perform a comparative study with earlier work conducted with venom from other wasp species. Results showed that S. cyanea venom produced a potent dose-dependent oedema, as well as antibacterial and haemolytic activities, suggesting the presence of histamine, serotonin, kinins and other molecules related to increased vascular permeability and cytolytic activity in this venom. Despite previous studies with wasp venoms, S. cyanea venom presented a slight hemorrhagic effect. Data obtained in the smooth muscle assay also suggest the presence of BK or analogues in S. cyanea whole venom. The knowledge of symptoms and effects produced by S. cyanea venom is critical for health organizations, in order to improve clinical treatment in accidents caused by wasp stings.

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Comparative Toxic Effects of the Venoms from Three Wasp Species of the Genus Polybia (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Cited by 6 publications

References 17 publications

Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus

Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus

Pharmacological Characterization of Mouse Hind Paw Edema Induced by Parachartergus fraternus Venom

Pharmacological characterization of Synoeca cyanea venom: An aggressive social wasp widely distributed in the Neotropical region

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