Partial sequence and toxic effects of granulitoxin, a neurotoxic peptide from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera

A neurotoxic peptide, granulitoxin (GRX), was isolated from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GRX is AKTGILDSDGPTVAGNSLSGT and its molecular mass is 4958 Da by electrospray mass spectrometry. This sequence presents a partial degree of homology with other t...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Santana, A.N.C., Leite, A.B., França, M.S.F., França, L., Vale, O.C., Cunha, R.B., Ricart, C.A.O., Sousa, M.V., Carvalho, K.M.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:1998
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade de Brasília (UnB)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UnB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unb.br:10482/25456
Acceso en línea:http://repositorio.unb.br/handle/10482/25456
https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-879X1998001000015
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Bunodosoma granulifera
sea anemones
Peptídeos tóxicos
Descripción
Sumario:A neurotoxic peptide, granulitoxin (GRX), was isolated from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GRX is AKTGILDSDGPTVAGNSLSGT and its molecular mass is 4958 Da by electrospray mass spectrometry. This sequence presents a partial degree of homology with other toxins from sea anemones such as Bunodosoma caissarum, Anthopleura fuscoviridis and Anemonia sulcata. However, important differences were found: the first six amino acids of the sequence are different, Arg-14 was replaced by Ala and no cysteine residues were present in the partial sequence, while two cysteine residues were present in the first 21 amino acids of other toxins described above. Purified GRX injected ip (800 µg/kg) into mice produced severe neurotoxic effects such as circular movements, aggressive behavior, dyspnea, tonic-clonic convulsion and death. The 2-h LD50 of GRX was 400 ± 83 µg/kg.