Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is rarely detected in its early stages, which is a major reason it is a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until pancreatic cancer is quite advanced, and complete surgical removal is not possible. Furthermore, pancreatic cancer responds poorly to most chemotherapeutic agents. The importance of integrins in several cell types that affect tumor progression has made them an appealing target for cancer therapy. Some of the proteins found in the snake venom present a great potential as anti-tumor agents. In this study, we summarize the activity of two integrins antagonist, recombinant disintegrins mojastin 1 and viridistatin 2, on human pancreatic carcinoma cell line (BXPC-3). Both recombinant disintegrins inhibited some essential aspects of the metastasis process such as proliferation, adhesion, migration, and survival through apoptosis, making these proteins prominent candidates for the development of drugs for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Adhesive interactions play important roles in coordinating T cell migration and activation, which are mediated by binding of integrins to RGD motif found on extracellular matrix proteins. Disintegrins, isolated from snake venoms, contain the RGD sequence that confers selectivity to integrin interaction. We have investigated the ability of three RGD-disintegrins, ligands of alpha(5)beta(1) and alpha(v)beta(3), Flavoridin (Fl), Kistrin (Kr) and Echistatin (Ech), in modulating the activation of human T lymphocyte. The disintegrins induced T cell proliferation and CD69 expression. This activation parallels with actin cytoskeleton reorganization and tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, the peptides induced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation. Finally, RGD-disintegrins were capable of driving NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and c-Fos expression, in a PI3K and ERK1/2 activities dependent manner. This report is the first to show that RGD-disintegrins interact with integrins on human T lymphocyte surface, modulating cell proliferation and activation of specific pathways coupled to integrin receptor.

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the growth and spread of cancer. New vascularization nourishes cancer cells with oxygen and nutrients, allowing these cells to grow, invade nearby tissue, spread to other parts of the body, and form new colonies of cancer cells. Tumor angiogenesis consists of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation into the tumor mass. The study of natural and synthetic angiogenesis inhibitors is a promising area for therapeutics since tumors cannot grow or spread without the formation of new blood vessels. Anti-angiogenic activities have been identified in peptides known as disintegrins. Disintegrins are a family of small proteins (45-84 amino acids in length), many which are found in snake venom that function as potent inhibitors of both platelet aggregation and integrin-dependent cell adhesion. This study reports two recombinant disintegrins (r-mojastin 1 and r-viridistatin 2) inhibiting, with similar effectiveness, distinct steps in angiogenesis such as proliferation, adhesion to fibronectin, migration, and tube formation in vitro and in vivo. Both recombinant disintegrins bind to α(v)β₃ and α(v)β₅ receptors that are upregulated in tumor endothelial cells, having a higher binding activity to α(v)β₃ integrin.

Disintegrins represent a family of effective cell-cell and cell-matrix inhibitors by binding to integrin receptors. Integrins are heterodimeric, transmembrane receptors that are the bridges for these cell interactions. Disintegrins have been shown to have many therapeutic implications for the treatment of strokes, heart attacks, and cancer. Two novel heterodimeric disintegrins were isolated from the venom of the broad-banded copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus). Crude venom separated by cation-exchange chromatography resulted in several fractions possessing hemorrhagic, fibrinolytic, gelatinase, and platelet activities. Venom fractions 2-3 and 17-19 showed fibrinolytic activity. Fractions 2-6, 8-11, and 16-21 had hemorrhagic activity. Gelatinase activity was found in fractions 3, 11, and 19. The isolation of laticinstatins 1 and 2 was accomplished by fractionating crude venom using reverse phase chromatography. Data from both SDS-PAGE and N-terminal sequencing determined that laticinstatins 1 and 2 were heterodimeric disintegrins, and both were assayed for their ability to inhibit platelet aggregation in human whole blood. Future functional evaluation of snake venom disintegrins shows considerable promise for elucidating the biochemical mechanisms of integrin-ligand interactions that will allow the development of adequate medications for hemostatic pathologies such as thrombosis, stroke, and cerebral and cardiac accidents. In this study, we are presenting the first report of the purification, and partial characterization of two new dimeric disintegrins isolated from the venom of broad-banded copperhead snakes.

The vast amounts of toxins within the venom of snakes, while known to cause medical emergencies, display various biological functions. Trans-pecos copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster) crude venom separated by cation-exchange chromatography showed several fractions with fibrinolytic, hemorrhagic, gelatinase and platelet activities. Venom fractions 1, 2, 4, 5, and 12-17 contained fibrinolytic activity. Venom fractions 1, 2, 5 and 12-14 had hemorrhagic activity. Fractions 1, 2, 12, 13 and 17 contained gelatinase activity. Reverse-Phase C18 High Performance Liquid Chromatography was also used to purify and isolated disintegrins from this venom. Anti-platelet aggregation activity of the C18 fractions collected and performed on whole human blood showed that they inhibited platelet aggregation in presence of several agonists. Results from both SDS-PAGE and N-terminal sequencing determined that pictistatin 1 obtained from the Trans-Pecos copperhead venom was a dimeric disintegrin, and pictistatin 2 was a heterodimeric disintegrin. The molecules with anti-platelet activity could be considered in the development of more effective drugs, for numerous blood-related diseases such as stroke, heart attacks, thrombosis, and other medical conditions. In this study, we are presenting the first report of the purification, isolation, and partial characterization of two new dimeric disintegrins isolated from the venom of trans-pecos copperhead.

Disintegrins and disintegrin-like proteins are molecules found in the venom of four snake families (Atractaspididae, Elapidae, Viperidae, and Colubridae). The disintegrins are nonenzymatic proteins that inhibit cell-cell interactions, cell-matrix interactions, and signal transduction, and may have potential in the treatment of strokes, heart attacks, cancers, and osteoporosis. Prior to 1983, the venom of Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus (Mohave Rattlesnake) was known to be only neurotoxic; however, now there is evidence that these snakes can contain venom with: (1) neurotoxins; (2) hemorrhagins; and (3) both neurotoxins and hemorrhagins. In this study, two disintegrins, mojastin 1 and mojastin 2, from the venom of a Mohave rattlesnake collected in central Arizona (Pinal County), were isolated and characterized. The disintegrins in these venoms were identified by mass-analyzed laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI/TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry as having masses of 7.436 and 7.636 kDa. Their amino acid sequences are similar to crotratroxin, a disintegrin isolated from the venom of the western diamondback rattlesnake (C. atrox). The amino acid sequence of mojastin 1 was identical to the amino acid sequence of a disintegrin isolated from the venom of the Timber rattlesnake (C. horridus). The disintegrins from the Mohave rattlesnake venom were able to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation in whole human blood both having IC50s of 13.8 nM, but were not effective in inhibiting the binding of human urinary bladder carcinoma cells (T24) to fibronectin.

The effects of jarastatin (JT), a monomeric RGD-disintegrin, were compared with those of the heterodimeric MLD-disintegrin, EC3, on human neutrophil activation and functions. Both disintegrins inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis induced by fMet-Leu-Phe and were also potent chemotactic agents. These effects were accompanied by an increase in actin polymerization, and both were inhibited by genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. While JT, but not other RGD-disintegrins, inhibited EC3-induced chemotaxis, EC3 was not able to inhibit JT effect. The chemotactic effect of JT was blocked by anti-alpha(M) antibody whereas anti-alpha(9)beta(1) inhibited EC3 effect. Both JT and EC3 induced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation. Accordingly, LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, impaired their chemotactic effect on neutrophils. JT induced Erk-2 translocation to nucleus and a delay of the spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils in vitro. In contrast, EC3 inhibited Erk-2 activation and had a proapoptotic effect. These effects were reverted by PD98059, an MEK 1/2 inhibitor and blocked by z-VAD-FMK, a caspase inhibitor. In addition, JT, but not EC3, increased the IL-8 mRNA levels in neutrophils. The data indicate that JT and EC3 directly activate an integrin-coupled signaling and modulate the MAPK pathway in different ways, leading the neutrophils to express different functional response.

Snake venoms are known to have different venom compositions and toxicity, but differences can also be found within populations of the same species contributing to the complexity of treatment of envenomated victims. One of the first well-documented intraspecies venom variations comes from the Mohave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus). Initially, three types of venoms were described; type A venom is the most toxic as a result of ~45% Mojave toxin in the venom composition, type B lacks the Mojave toxin but contains over 50% of snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs). Also, type A+B venom contains a combination of Mojave toxin and SVMP. The use of an anti-disintegrin antibody in a simple Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) can be used to identify the difference between the venoms of the type A, B, and A+B Mohave rattlesnakes. This study implements the use of an anti-recombinant disintegrin polyclonal antibody (ARDPA) for the detection of disintegrins and ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteases) in individual crude snake venoms of Mohave rattlesnakes (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) of varying geographical locations. After correlation with Western blots, coagulation activity and LD50 data, it was determined that the antibody allows for a quick and cost-efficient identification of venom types.

Crotalid venoms are rich sources of components that affect the hemostatic system. Snake venom metalloproteinases are zinc-dependent enzymes responsible for hemorrhage that also interfere with hemostasis. The disintegrin domain is a part of snake venom metalloproteinases, which involves the binding of integrin receptors. Integrins play an essential role in cancer survival and invasion, and they have been major targets for drug development and design. Both native and recombinant disintegrins have been widely investigated for their anti-cancer activities in biological systems as well as in vitro and in vivo systems. Here, three new cDNAs encoding ECD disintegrin-like domains of metalloproteinase precursor sequences obtained from a Venezuelan mapanare (Bothrops colombiensis) venom gland cDNA library have been cloned. Three different N- and C-terminal truncated ECD disintegrin-like domains of metalloproteinases named colombistatins 2, 3, and 4 were amplified by PCR, cloned into a pGEX-4T-1 vector, expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, and tested for inhibition of platelet aggregation and inhibition of adhesion of human skin melanoma (SK-Mel-28) cancer cell lines on collagen I. Purified recombinant colombistatins 2, 3, and 4 were able to inhibit ristocetin- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. r-Colombistatins 2 showed the most potent inhibiting SK-Mel-28 cancer cells adhesion to collagen. These results suggest that colombistatins may have utility in the development of therapeutic tools in the treatment of melanoma cancers and also thrombotic diseases.

Venom from the Mohave rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus, has been reported to be either: (1) neurotoxic; (2) hemorrhagic, or both (3) neurotoxic and hemorrhagic. In this study, 14 Mohave rattlesnakes from Arizona and Texas (USA) were analyzed for the presence of disintegrins and Mojave toxin. All venom samples were analyzed for the presence of hemorrhagic, proteolytic and disintegrin activities. The venoms were each chromatographed by reverse phase and their fractions tested for disintegrin activity. All specimens containing Mojave toxin were the most toxic and lacked proteolytic, hemorrhagic and disintegrin activities. In contrast, the venoms containing these activities lacked Mojave toxin. Two disintegrin genes, scutustatin and mojavestatin, were identified by PCR of genomic sequences. Scutustatin is a highly conserved disintegrin, while mojavestatin shows low conservation to other known disintegrins. Venoms with the highest LD50 measurements lacked both disintegrin genes, while the specimens with intermediate and low LD50 contained both genes. The intermediate LD50 group contained Mojave toxin and both disintegrin genes, but lacked hemorrhagic and disintegrin activity. Our results raise the possibility that scutustatin and mojavestatin are not expressed in the intermediate LD50 group, or that they may not be the same disintegrins responsible for the disintegrin activity found in the venom. Therefore, it is possible that Mohave rattlesnakes may produce more than two disintegrins.

Mammalian sperm-oocyte interaction at fertilization involves several combined interactions between integrins on the oocyte and integrin ligands (disintegrins) on the sperm. Recent research has indicated the ability of peptides containing the RGD sequence that characterized several sperm disintegrins, to induce intracellular Ca2+ transients and to initiate parthenogenetic development in amphibian and bovine oocytes. In the present study, we investigate the hypothesis that an integrin-associated signalling may participate in oocyte activation signalling by determining the ability of a cyclic RGD-containing peptide to stimulate the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and the exocytosis of cortical granules in mouse oocytes.

In recent decades, snake venom disintegrins have received special attention due to their potential use in anticancer therapy. Disintegrins are small and cysteine-rich proteins present in snake venoms and can interact with specific integrins to inhibit their activities in cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. These molecules, known to inhibit platelet aggregation, are also capable of interacting with certain cancer-related integrins, and may interfere in important processes involved in carcinogenesis. Therefore, disintegrin from Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom was isolated, structurally characterized and evaluated for its toxicity and ability to interfere with cell proliferation and migration in MDA-MB-231, a human breast cancer cell line.

We propose a novel attachment method for retinal tissue that utilizes silicone modified with bioactive molecules.

Hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke is an independent predictor for poor outcome and is characterized by blood vessel rupture leading to brain edema. To date, no therapies for preventing hemorrhagic transformation exist. Disintegrins from the venom of Crotalus atrox have targets within the coagulation cascade, including receptors on platelets. We hypothesized that disintegrins from C. atrox venom can attenuate hemorrhagic transformation by preventing activation of matrix metalloproteinase after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in hyperglycemic rats. We subjected 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 240-260 g to MCAO and hyperglycemia to induce hemorrhagic transformation of the infarction. At reperfusion, we administered either saline (vehicle), whole C. atrox venom (two doses were used), or fractionated C. atrox venom (HPLC Fraction 2). Rats were euthanized 24 hr post-ictus for measurement of infarction and hemoglobin volume. Reversed-phase HPLC was performed to fractionate the whole venom and peaks were combined to form Fraction 2, which contained the disintegrin Crotatroxin. Fraction 2 protected against hemorrhagic transformation after MCAO, and attenuated activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Administering matrix metalloproteinase antagonists prevented the protection by Fraction 2. The results of this study indicate that disintegrins found in C. atrox venom may have therapeutic potential for reducing hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke. Moreover, the RP-HPLC fractions retained sufficient protein activity to suggest that gentler and less efficient orthogonal chromatographic methods may be unnecessary to isolate proteins and explore their function.

Disintegrins are small peptides produced in viper venom that act as integrin antagonists. When bound to integrins, disintegrins induce altered cellular behaviors, such as apoptotic induction. Disintegrins with RGDDL or RGDDM motifs induce apoptosis of normal and cancer cells. We hypothesized that a second aspartate (D) carboxyl to the RGD is sufficient to induce apoptosis. Five recombinant mojastin D mutants were produced by site-directed mutagenesis (r-Moj-DA, r-Moj-DG, r-Moj-DL, r-Moj-DN, and r-Moj-DV). Stable αv integrin knockdown and shRNA scrambled control SK-Mel-28 cell lines were produced to test a second hypothesis: r-Moj-D_ peptides bind to αv integrin. Only r-Moj-DL, r-Moj-DM, and r-Moj-DN induced apoptosis of SK-Mel-28 cells (at 29.4%, 25.6%, and 36.2%, respectively). Apoptotic induction was significantly reduced in SK-Mel-28 cells with a stable αv integrin knockdown (to 2%, 17%, and 2%, respectively), but not in SK-Mel-28 cells with a stable scrambled shRNA. All six r-Moj-D_ peptides inhibited cell proliferation; ranging from 49.56% (r-Moj-DN) to 75.6% (r-Moj-DA). Cell proliferation inhibition by r-Moj-D_ peptides was significantly reduced in SK-Mel-28 cells with a stable αv integrin knockdown. All six r-Moj-D_ peptides inhibited SK-Mel-28 cell migration at high levels (69%-100%). As a consequence, rac-1 mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced as early as 1 h after treatment, suggesting that rac-1 is involved in the cell migration activity of SK-Mel-28.

Breast cancer is a highly malignant carcinoma and remains the second leading cause of mortality among women. The antitumor effects of metalloproteinases and disintegrins from snake venom on various types of cancer cells have been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the antitumor and antiangiogenic effects on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and endothelial cells induced by Bothropoidin, a disintegrin-like metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops pauloensis snake venom. At 24h after treatment at 100μg/mL, Bothropoidin exerted a moderate cytotoxic effect of 30% on MDA-MB-231 versus 10% cytotoxicity against MCF10A (a non-tumorigenic breast cell line), a significant difference that suggests a possible preference by this protein for targets in cancer cells. Early and late apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 was observed after Bothropoidin treatment (10μg/mL and 40μg/mL). Furthermore, this toxin inhibited not only the adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner but also cell migration by approximately 45%. In addition, Bothropoidin decreased endothelial cells viability and adhesion in Matrigel and inhibited in vitro angiogenesis in Matrigel stimulated by bFGF, showing significantly fewer formed vessels. The results demonstrated that Bothropoidin has potent in vitro antitumor and antiangiogenic effect and represents a biotechnological tool for elucidating the antitumor effect of disintegrins-like metalloproteinases in cancer cells.

Snake envenomation can result in hemorrhage, local necrosis, swelling, and if not treated properly can lead to adverse systemic effects such as coagulopathy, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity, which can result in death. As such, snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and disintegrins are two toxic components that contribute to hemorrhage and interfere with the hemostatic system. Administration of a commercial antivenom is the common antidote to treat snake envenomation, but the high-cost, lack of efficacy, side effects, and limited availability, necessitates the development of new strategies and approaches for therapeutic treatments. Herein, we describe the neutralization ability of anti-disintegrin polyclonal antibody on the activities of isolated disintegrins, P-II/P-III SVMPs, and crude venoms. Our results show disintegrin activity on platelet aggregation in whole blood and the migration of the SK-Mel-28 cells that can be neutralized with anti-disintegrin polyclonal antibody. We characterized a SVMP and found that anti-disintegrin was also able to inhibit its activity in an in vitro proteolytic assay. Moreover, we found that anti-disintegrin could neutralize the proteolytic and hemorrhagic activities from crude Crotalus atrox venom. Our results suggest that anti-disintegrin polyclonal antibodies have the potential for a targeted approach to neutralize SVMPs in the treatment of snakebite envenomations.

Disintegrins are a family of small (4-14 kDa) proteins that bind to another class of proteins, integrins. Therefore, as integrin inhibitors, they can be exploited as anticancer and antiplatelet agents. Acostatin, an alphabeta heterodimeric disintegrin, has been isolated from the venom of Southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix). The three-dimensional structure of acostatin has been determined by macromolecular crystallography using the molecular-replacement method. The asymmetric unit of the acostatin crystals consists of two heterodimers. The structure has been refined to an R(work) and R(free) of 18.6% and 21.5%, respectively, using all data in the 20-1.7 A resolution range. The structure of all subunits is similar and is well ordered into N-terminal and C-terminal clusters with four intramolecular disulfide bonds. The overall fold consists of short beta-sheets, each of which is formed by a pair of antiparallel beta-strands connected by beta-turns and flexible loops of different lengths. Conformational flexibility is found in the RGD loops and in the C-terminal segment. The interaction of two N-terminal clusters via two intermolecular disulfide bridges anchors the alphabeta chains of the acostatin dimers. The C-terminal clusters of the heterodimer project in opposite directions and form a larger angle between them in comparison with other dimeric disintegrins. Extensive interactions are observed between two heterodimers, revealing an alphabetabetaalpha acostatin tetramer. Further experiments are required to identify whether the alphabetabetaalpha acostatin complex plays a functional role in vivo.

A new short-chain disintegrin, accutin, was purified from the Formosan Agkistrodon acutus venom by using of gel filtration, ion exchanger and reverse phase HPLC. The homogeneous protein is a 47-residue polypeptide with a molecular mass of 5241 Da containing an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence and seven cysteinyl residues at positions highly homologous to other disintegrins. Accutin dose-dependently inhibited human platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, collagen, thrombin or the thromboxane analogue U46619 in platelet suspension with IC50 values of 66-267 nM. It was also active in inhibiting platelet aggregation of platelet-rich plasma. However, accutin apparently did not affect the shape change caused by these agonists. Accutin also inhibited fibrinogen-induced aggregation of human elastase-treated platelets in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, accutin dose-dependently inhibited the binding reaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated arietin, a member of the disintegrin family, to human platelets. In addition, the binding of FITC-conjugated accutin to platelets was almost completely blocked by a monoclonal antibody, 7E3, raised against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. On the other hand, accutin as well as other disintegrins, rhodostomin and arietin, exhibited an inhibitory effect on 7E3 binding toward platelets and endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that accutin, a new platelet aggregation inhibitor belonging to the short-chain disintegrin family, acts specifically on a binding epitope of GPIIb/IIIa overlapping with that of 7E3, leading to the blockade of fibrinogen binding to its receptor.

The interaction between the arginine glycine and aspartic acid motif (RGD) of integrin ligands such as vitronectin and the integrin receptor alphaVbeta3 in mediating cell attachment has been well described. Similarly, the ability of disintegrins, small RGD containing peptides, to inhibit cell attachment and other cellular processes has also been studied extensively. Recently, we characterized a second site of interaction between vitronectin and its integrin partner. We determined that amino acids within the heparin-binding domain of vitronectin bind to a cysteine loop (C-loop) region of beta3 and that this interaction is required for the positive effects of alphaVbeta3 ligand occupancy on IGF-I signaling in smooth muscle cells. In this study we examine the signaling events activated following ligand binding of disintegrins to the alphaVbeta3 and the ability of these signals to be regulated by binding of the heparin-binding domain of vitronectin. We demonstrate that disintegrin ligand binding activates a series of events including the sequential activation of the tyrosine kinases c-Src and Syk. This leads to the activation of calpain and the cleavage of the beta3 cytoplasmic tail. Addition of vitronectin or a peptide homologous to the heparin-binding domain inhibited activation of this pathway. Our results suggest that the signaling events that occur following ligand binding to the alphaVbeta3 integrin reflects a balance between the effects mediated through the RGD binding site interaction and the effects mediated by the heparin binding site interaction and that for intact vitronectin the effect of the heparin-binding domain predominates.