Pilosulins: A review of the structure and mode of action of venom peptides from an Australian ant Myrmecia pilosula

Wanandy, Troy; Gueven, Nuri; Davies, Noel W.; Brown, Simon G A; Wiese, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.02.013

Cited by 37 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…We detected one type of protease (leucine aminopeptidase) in JJAV with moderate levels of activity, and it is possible that this endogenous protease degrades high MW proteins in JJAV AI . Apart from this protease, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities detected in this study are consistent with published data, whereas the glycosidase activities observed have not been reported before. Previously, proteases and acid phosphatases in allergenic extracts have been described to correlate with allergenic activities or allergenic potencies .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Allergy to native ants of the genus Myrmecia is an important clinical problem in the south‐eastern states of Australia, where Jack Jumper ants ( Myrmecia pilosula ; JJA) are responsible for insect‐sting allergy in up to 3% of the population . These ants are most prevalent in Tasmania and are the leading cause of anaphylaxis, exceeding reactions caused by bees, wasps, drugs or food .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three allergenic peptides (Myr p 1, Myr p 2 and Myr p 3) have been well defined . Myr p 2 is the only major allergen in JJAV, while Myr p 1 and Myr p 3 are classified as minor allergens, and several additional higher MW allergenic components are so far uncharacterized . The quantification of these allergenic peptides is therefore relevant for quality assessment and standardization of JJAV preparations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Factors influencing the quality of Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper) ant venom for use in in vitro and in vivo diagnoses of allergen sensitization and in allergen immunotherapy

Wanandy

Dwyer

McLean

et al. 2017

Clin Experimental Allergy

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show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Factors influencing the quality of Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper) ant venom for use in in vitro and in vivo diagnoses of allergen sensitization and in allergen immunotherapy

Wanandy

Dwyer

McLean

et al. 2017

Clin Experimental Allergy

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“…Such peptides constitute a major fraction of the venoms of bees, bumblebees, wasps, and ants [12,[21][22][23][24][25][26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latarcins: versatile spider venom peptides

Dubovskii

Vassilevski

Kozlov

et al. 2015

Cell. Mol. Life Sci.

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Arthropod venoms feature the presence of cytolytic peptides believed to act synergetically with neurotoxins to paralyze prey or deter aggressors. Many of them are linear, i.e., lack disulfide bonds. When isolated from the venom, or obtained by other means, these peptides exhibit common properties. They are cationic; being mostly disordered in aqueous solution, assume amphiphilic α-helical structure in contact with lipid membranes; and exhibit general cytotoxicity, including antifungal, antimicrobial, hemolytic, and anticancer activities. To suit the pharmacological needs, the activity spectrum of these peptides should be modified by rational engineering. As an example, we provide a detailed review on latarcins (Ltc), linear cytolytic peptides from Lachesana tarabaevi spider venom. Diverse experimental and computational techniques were used to investigate the spatial structure of Ltc in membrane-mimicking environments and their effects on model lipid bilayers. The antibacterial activity of Ltc was studied against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, the action of Ltc on erythrocytes and cancer cells was investigated in detail with confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the present review, we give a critical account of the progress in the research of Ltc. We explore the relationship between Ltc structure and their biological activity and derive molecular characteristics, which can be used for optimization of other linear peptides. Current applications of Ltc and prospective use of similar membrane-active peptides are outlined.

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“…However, the AET experiments confirmed that the antimicrobial efficacy of the combined formulation against challenged organisms was maintained throughout the study period. It is possible that this was due, at least in part, to the inherent antimicrobial activities of JJAV [29], which provided additive or synergistic effects to the preservative activity of benzyl alcohol. If this was the case, since low concentrations of venom proteins are used during the induction phase of a VIT, a greater reliance on the antimicrobial efficacy of benzyl alcohol is required during this phase.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmaceutical and preclinical evaluation of Advax adjuvant as a dose-sparing strategy for ant venom immunotherapy

Wanandy

Honda‐Okubo

Davies

et al. 2019

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

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a b s t r a c tA major challenge in broader clinical application of Jack Jumper ant venom immunotherapy (JJA VIT) is the scarcity of ant venom which needs to be manually harvested from wild ants. Adjuvants are commonly used for antigen sparing in other vaccines, and thereby could potentially have major benefits to extend JJA supplies if they were to similarly enhance JJA VIT immunogenicity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological stability and murine immunogenicity of low-dose JJA VIT formulated with a novel polysaccharide adjuvant referred to as delta inulin or Advax TM . Jack Jumper ant venom (JJAV) protein stability was assessed by UPLC-UV, SDS-PAGE, SDS-PAGE immunoblot, and ELISA inhibition. Diffraction light scattering was used to assess particle size distribution of Advax; pH and benzyl alcohol quantification by UPLC-UV were used to assess the physicochemical stability of JJAV diluent, and endotoxin content and preservative efficacy test was used to investigate the microbiological properties of the adjuvanted VIT formulation. To assess the effect of adjuvant on JJA venom immunogenicity, mice were immunised four times with JJAV alone or formulated with Advax adjuvant. JJA VIT formulated with Advax was found to be physicochemically and microbiologically stable for at least 2 days when stored at 4 and 25 • C with a trend for an increase in allergenic potency observed beyond 2 days of storage. Low-dose JJAV formulated with Advax adjuvant induced significantly higher JJAV-specific IgG than a 5-fold higher dose of JJAV alone, consistent with a powerful allergen-sparing effect. The pharmaceutical data provides important guidance on the formulation, storage and use of JJA VIT formulated with Advax adjuvant, with the murine immunogenicity studies providing a strong rationale for a planned clinical trial to test the ability of Advax adjuvant to achieve 4-fold JJAV dose sparing in JJA-allergic human patients.

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Pilosulins: A review of the structure and mode of action of venom peptides from an Australian ant Myrmecia pilosula

Cited by 37 publications

References 46 publications

Factors influencing the quality of Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper) ant venom for use in in vitro and in vivo diagnoses of allergen sensitization and in allergen immunotherapy

Factors influencing the quality of Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper) ant venom for use in in vitro and in vivo diagnoses of allergen sensitization and in allergen immunotherapy

Latarcins: versatile spider venom peptides

Pharmaceutical and preclinical evaluation of Advax adjuvant as a dose-sparing strategy for ant venom immunotherapy

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