Pilosulins: a review of the structure and mode of action of venom peptides from an Australian ant Myrmecia pilosula.
Myrmecia pilosula is an endemic Australian ant whose sting is a frequent cause of insect allergy in southeast Australia, and several deaths due to M. pilosula sting envenomation have been documented. In this review, we discuss the composition and bioactivity of M. pilosula venom. In addition to various enzymes and pharmacologically active constituents, the venom contains four families of highly basic low molecular weight peptides trivially named Pilosulins. These peptides are unique and have low structural homology to other Hymenoptera venom peptides. Moreover, M. pilosula venom is relatively simple in its composition with 5 predominant peptides making up about 90% by weight. These peptides display cytotoxic, hypotensive, histamine-releasing and antimicrobial activities. Within the M. pilosula venom, Pilosulin 3 has been classified as a major allergen and [Ile(5)]pilosulin 1 and Pilosulin 4.1 are classified as minor allergens. Several uncharacterised higher molecular weight components with allergenic activities have also been identified. The revised naming of M. pilosula venom peptides according to the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) criteria for allergen nomenclature is discussed in this review.
Jack Jumper Allergy Program, Royal Hobart Hospital, GPO Box 1061L, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 26, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; Division of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 68, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; Department of Pharmacy, Royal Hobart Hospital, GPO Box 1061L, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. Electronic address: troy.wanandy@dhhs.tas.gov.au.
Troy
T
Wanandy
Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 26, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
Nuri
N
Gueven
Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 74, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
Noel W
NW
Davies
Jack Jumper Allergy Program, Royal Hobart Hospital, GPO Box 1061L, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Simon G A
SG
Brown
Jack Jumper Allergy Program, Royal Hobart Hospital, GPO Box 1061L, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia.
Michael D
MD
Wiese
D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000862:Ant Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D001000:Ants / Q000737:chemistry*; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D001315:Australia; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000485:Allergens; D000862:Ant Venoms; D001180:Arthropod Venoms; D010455:Peptides; C115595:pilosulin 1; C488514:pilosulin 3; C488513:pilosulin 4
Allergens; Ant venom; Myr p; Myrmecia pilosula; Pilosulin