Bv8, a small protein from frog skin and its homologue from snake venom induce hyperalgesia in rats.
From skin secretions of Bombina variegata and Bombina bombina, we isolated a small protein termed Bv8. The sequence of its 77 amino acids was established by peptide analysis and by cDNA cloning of the Bv8 precursor. Bv8 stimulates the contraction of the guinea-pig ileum at nanomolar concentrations. The contraction is not inhibited by a variety of antagonists. Injection of a few micrograms of Bv8 into the brain of rats elicits, as assessed by the tail-flick test and paw pressure threshold, a marked hyperalgesia which lasts for about 1 h. Bv8 is related to protein A, a component of the venom of the black mamba. After i.c.v. injection, protein A is even more active than Bv8 in inducing hyperalgesia.
Mollay
C
C
Institute of Molecular Biology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Salzburg.
Wechselberger
C
C
Mignogna
G
G
Negri
L
L
Melchiorri
P
P
Barra
D
D
Kreil
G
G
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D029845:Amphibian Proteins; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D001483:Base Sequence; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects*; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000737:chemistry*
D029845:Amphibian Proteins; C121344:Bv8 protein, Bombina variegata; D009479:Neuropeptides; D011506:Proteins; D012910:Snake Venoms