HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

The relationship between calcium and the metabolism of plasma membrane phospholipids in hemolysis induced by brown spider venom phospholipase-D toxin.

Abstract
Brown spider venom phospholipase-D belongs to a family of toxins characterized as potent bioactive agents. These toxins have been involved in numerous aspects of cell pathophysiology including inflammatory response, platelet aggregation, endothelial cell hyperactivation, renal disorders, and hemolysis. The molecular mechanism by which these toxins cause hemolysis is under investigation; literature data have suggested that enzyme catalysis is necessary for the biological activities triggered by the toxin. However, the way by which phospholipase-D activity is directly related with human hemolysis has not been determined. To evaluate how brown spider venom phospholipase-D activity causes hemolysis, we examined the impact of recombinant phospholipase-D on human red blood cells. Using six different purified recombinant phospholipase-D molecules obtained from a cDNA venom gland library, we demonstrated that there is a correlation of hemolytic effect and phospholipase-D activity. Studying recombinant phospholipase-D, a potent hemolytic and phospholipase-D recombinant toxin (LiRecDT1), we determined that the toxin degrades synthetic sphingomyelin (SM), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and lyso-platelet-activating factor. Additionally, we determined that the toxin degrades phospholipids in a detergent extract of human erythrocytes, as well as phospholipids from ghosts of human red blood cells. The products of the degradation of synthetic SM and LPC following recombinant phospholipase-D treatments caused hemolysis of human erythrocytes. This hemolysis, dependent on products of metabolism of phospholipids, is also dependent on calcium ion concentration because the percentage of hemolysis increased with an increase in the dose of calcium in the medium. Recombinant phospholipase-D treatment of human erythrocytes stimulated an influx of calcium into the cells that was detected by a calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe (Fluo-4). This calcium influx was shown to be channel-mediated rather than leak-promoted because the influx was inhibited by L-type calcium channel inhibitors but not by a T-type calcium channel blocker, sodium channel inhibitor or a specific inhibitor of calcium activated potassium channels. Finally, this inhibition of hemolysis following recombinant phospholipase-D treatment occurred in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of L-type calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine and verapamil. The data provided herein, suggest that the brown spider venom phospholipase-D-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes is dependent on the metabolism of membrane phospholipids, such as SM and LPC, generating bioactive products that stimulate a calcium influx into red blood cells mediated by the L-type channel.
AuthorsDaniele Chaves-Moreira, Fernanda N Souza, Rosalvo T H Fogaça, Oldemir C Mangili, Waldemiro Gremski, Andrea Senff-Ribeiro, Olga M Chaim, Silvio S Veiga
JournalJournal of cellular biochemistry (J Cell Biochem) Vol. 112 Issue 9 Pg. 2529-40 (Sep 2011) ISSN: 1097-4644 [Electronic] United States
PMID21590705 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
CopyrightCopyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chemical References
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Hemolytic Agents
  • Insect Proteins
  • Lysophosphatidylcholines
  • Phospholipids
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sphingomyelins
  • Spider Venoms
  • dermonecrotic toxin, Loxosceles intermedia
  • Phospholipase D
  • Calcium
Topics
  • Animals
  • Calcium (chemistry, metabolism)
  • Calcium Channel Blockers (pharmacology)
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type (metabolism)
  • Cell Membrane (drug effects, metabolism)
  • Enzyme Assays
  • Erythrocytes (drug effects, metabolism)
  • Hemolysis (drug effects)
  • Hemolytic Agents (chemistry, toxicity)
  • Humans
  • Insect Proteins (chemistry, toxicity)
  • Lysophosphatidylcholines (chemistry)
  • Phospholipase D (chemistry, toxicity)
  • Phospholipids (chemistry, metabolism)
  • Recombinant Proteins (chemistry)
  • Sphingomyelins (chemistry)
  • Spider Venoms (chemistry, enzymology, toxicity)
  • Spiders

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: