Multifunctional molecules from Lonomia obliqua caterpillar: designing of new chemical entities and interrelationship with cellular mechanisms

Abstract

Animal venoms and secretions have in their composition a quite promising amount of potentially pharmacological molecules capable of overcoming several biochemical responses into the host's system. In our research group, new exogenous molecules as well as some synthetic peptide derivatives targeting the haemostatic system have been investigated as promising drug candidates, and they are already in different phases of the development process. Beyond haemostasis, these molecules can also modulate other biological systems like the immune system, survival or death pathways, and even tissue regeneration. However, the biological sense related to the presence of such molecules in those animals and why these molecules are multifunctional regarding the human tissues, with more binding affinity for some biological systems, remain still unknown. Herein, the efforts will be converged to the molecules extracted from the Lonomia obliqua caterpillar bristle, Lopap and Losac, as well as their derivative peptides. Three different proposals will be considered: (I) study of action mechanism of the multifunctional molecules on cellular homeostasis, (II) in silico studies to predict novel bioactive derivatives from those proteins, and (III) evaluation of the proteins' effect in the treatment of inducing injuries and those caused by Bothrops jararaca and Loxosceles gaucho venomous in vitro and in vivo. (AU)