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- Title
Simplagrin, a Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor from Simulium nigrimanum Salivary Glands Specifically Binds to the Von Willebrand Factor Receptor in Collagen and Inhibits Carotid Thrombus Formation In Vivo.
- Authors
Chagas, Andrezza C.; McPhie, Peter; San, Hong; Narum, David; Reiter, Karine; Tokomasu, Fuyuki; Brayner, Fabio A.; Alves, Luiz C.; Ribeiro, José M. C.; Calvo, Eric
- Abstract
Background: Among the several challenges faced by bloodsucking arthropods, the vertebrate hemostatic response against blood loss represents an important barrier to efficient blood feeding. Here we report the first inhibitor of collagen-induced platelet aggregation derived from the salivary glands of a black fly (Simulium nigrimanum), named Simplagrin. Methods and Findings: Simplagrin was expressed in mammalian cells and purified by affinity-and size-exclusion chromatography. Light-scattering studies showed that Simplagrin has an elongated monomeric form with a hydrodynamic radius of 5.6 nm. Simplagrin binds to collagen (type I-VI) with high affinity (2–15 nM), and this interaction does not involve any significant conformational change as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Simplagrin-collagen interaction is both entropically and enthalpically driven with a large negative ΔG, indicating that this interaction is favorable and occurs spontaneously. Simplagrin specifically inhibits von Willebrand factor interaction with collagen type III and completely blocks platelet adhesion to collagen under flow conditions at high shear rates; however, Simplagrin failed to block glycoprotein VI and Iα2β1 interaction to collagen. Simplagrin binds to RGQOGVMGF peptide with an affinity (KD 11 nM) similar to that of Simplagrin for collagen. Furthermore, Simplagrin prevents laser-induced carotid thrombus formation in vivo without significant bleeding in mice and could be useful as an antithrombotic agent in thrombosis related disease. Conclusion: Our results support the orthology of the Aegyptin clade in bloodsucking Nematocera and the hypothesis of a faster evolutionary rate of salivary function of proteins from blood feeding arthropods. Author Summary: Blood feeding arthropods—like mosquitoes and black flies—have evolved salivary secretions rich in molecules that affect hemostasis, including vasodilators and inhibitors of blood clotting and platelet aggregation. Among the platelet inhibitors, antagonists of collagen-induced platelet aggregation and adhesion have been found in salivary glands of blood feeders. Here we report the first collagen-binding protein from salivary glands of a black fly. This molecule prevents thrombosis in mice without causing significant bleeding, making it an attractive candidate as an antithrombotic agent. Because blackflies and mosquitoes shared a common blood feeding ancestor approximately 250 million years ago, it appears that collagen-binding activity in salivary glands was an evolutionary innovation present in an ancient dipteran ancestor. Our work highlights the central role of inhibition of platelet aggregation as a vital salivary function in blood feeding arthropods.
- Subjects
PLATELET aggregation inhibitors; VON Willebrand factor; SALIVARY glands; SALIVARY proteins; DESMOPRESSIN; SIMULIIDAE; COLLAGEN
- Publication
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2014, Vol 8, Issue 6, p1
- ISSN
1935-2727
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pntd.0002947